Maute rampage triggers need to mobilize reserve force

Last May 23, President Duterte issued Presidential Proclamation No. 216, declaring martial law all over Mindanao—another milestone in the Duterte administration and Philippine history. He said, if the situation deteriorates, it will not be long before he declares martial law nationwide.

Thanks, we have a President with guts. In a letter “Reserve force urgently needed today” (Opinion, 5/19/17), I said that the Maute, Abu Sayyaf, and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters are terrorist organizations to be watched.

And what we thought might happen did happen. Maute terrorists went on a rampage in Marawi City, killing unarmed innocent civilians, including women and children; taking a number of hostages, burning homes and buildings. There was either a failure of intelligence on the part of the military and police, or a failure of vigilance on the part of the affected barangays.

Mr. President, there is an urgent need to mobilize whatever reservist units we now have to maintain peace and order. They can be tapped to secure vital installations such as water, electric power and communications facilities, while the regular force are engaged in combat, clearing and mopping-up operations.

JOEL R. HINLO,
retired brigadier general, AFP,
[email protected]