In May 2017, Duterte declared martial law in Mindanao after the principal Islamic City of Marawi was stormed by homegrown terrorists loyal to the Islamic State. Martial law remains a sensitive issue in the Philippines after it was used by Marcos in the 1970s to perpetuate himself in power. Some lawmakers had opposed the third extension to martial law, arguing that a prolonged military rule cannot be “the new normal” for Mindanao. Analysts doubt that martial law alone would be enough to stop the growth of terror cells linked to Islamic State in the restive parts of Mindanao, adding that a comprehensive government response is need to address violent extremism and insurgency. According to a December 2019 opinion poll by Social Weather Stations, 65% of Filipinos backed the lifting of martial law in Mindanao, with 49% of respondents agreeing that “[a]t present, there is no more threat that another Marawi-like terrorist attack can happen anywhere in Mindanao.”

Source: Philippine Star January 01, 2020 02:37 UTC