A temporary silencing of guns and a pause in fighting between government forces and the Maute group is expected to give way to the peaceful celebration of the end of Ramadan on Sunday, June 25.
A month after the island of Mindanao has been placed under martial rule, Eastern Mindanao Command Deputy Commander Brigadier General Gilbert Gapay said that they have successfully "prevented the spillover of terrorism" in Eastern Mindanao.
While offers of support are certainly welcome, the Philippine government and its regional partners are able to handle the threat of extremist terror groups without the help of western countries such as the US and Australia, said Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella.
Unless the historical injustices done to the Moro people is addressed through joint efforts by the government and other sectors, the issue will continue to be exploited and used by radicals and extremists to persuade other Moros, especially the youth to join their ranks.
Various progressive groups here protested in front of the Commission of Human Rights XI on Friday, June 23, slamming the claim of CHR that no violation of human rights was recorded a month after President Rodrigo Duterte’s declaration of Martial Law in Mindanao.