DAVAO CITY, Philippines – The National Democratic Front of the Philippines in Mindanao said the declaration of Martial Law in Mindanao fits into the “imperialist strategy of the US to gain domination in Asia and the Pacific.”
NDFP-Mindanao, through its spokesperson Ka Joaquin Jacinto issued a statement on Monday, in time with the commemoration of Independence Day.
Jacinto said the martial law “strengthens the military, political and economic domination and control of the US in the Asia-Pacific region and counters the aggressive steps being undertaken by China in the area.”
NDFP-Mindanao also hit the military advisers and officers of the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte who were responsible for the declaration of martial law.
The declaration, the group asserted, was a counter-response to the massive operations of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police against what it called the “Maute-Hapilon-ISIS” link that started to wreck havoc in Marawi on May 23.
The NDFP-Mindanao also claimed that ISIS or the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria is a terrorist group being supported and funded by the US.
They were utilized by the US to overthrow regimes in Middle East and countries that are no longer allies and run counter to its imperialist interests, similar to what the US did in Libya, the NDFP-Mindanao said.
The presence of the “Maute-Hapilon-ISIS” link in Marawi, the NDFP-Mindanao said, became the “golden ticket” used by the pro-US generals of Duterte to declare martial law.
The group also lamented on the continuing plight of ordinary civilians in Marawi who forcibly left their homes due to fear.
Martial law, the NDFP-Mindanao added, has already subjected peasants, workers, Lumad and other sectors to clear-cut violations of basic human rights and civil liberties. (davaotoday.com)
