Davao City Council passes resolution for Martial Law Exemption

The 19th city council of Davao passed a resolution requesting President Rodrigo Duterte exempting Davao City from Martial Law in Mindanao, during the council’s regular session last August 6.

This was exposed by the Committee on Peace and Order and Public Safety Chair Councilor Ma. Belen Acosta in the course of the session.

She said that the council will wait for the president’s response on the request which was primarily sparked by the City’s Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio during the Davao Business Icon held in Davao City recently.

The said resolution stated that the occurrence of Martial Law for the past two years indicated several effects on the city’s engagement in business, trade and investment.

On that account, Sara requested thorough assessment on the security situation of Davao City through formal communication addressed to Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) – Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Police Regional Office (PRO) 11.

Hence, EastMinCom Commander Lieutenant General Felimon Santos expressed their support for the exclusion of Davao City from Martial Law, provided that all “present security forces in the city and security measures and initiatives being implemented shall still be operational to clear terrorist groups and opportunity to stage attack in any areas of the city.”

On the other hand, PRO 11 also responded positively on the letter provided, expressing their support on the exemption of Davao City from Martial Law with “reference to the notable decrease in the city’s crime volume and criminal rate, and the notable increase in crime solution efficiency as a result of the joined efforts of the AFP-PNP, Local Government of Davao and other peace keeping forces.” (Jay Ann Diems | HCDC Masscom Intern)