BUENAVISTA, Agusan del Norte – A Boholano Catholic bishop in the Caraga Region cited the positive impacts of the implementation of martial law in Mindanao, saying it has served as a preventive measure to secure the people and communities in the region.

In a press conference following the opening of the Mindanao Week of Peace celebration at the St. James the Great Parish here on Thursday (Nov. 28), Most Rev. Cosme Damian Almedilla, the bishop of the Diocese of Butuan, said he has seen more positive effects of martial law into the lives of the people since his arrival in the region.

Almedilla was installed as the third bishop of Butuan Diocese in June of this year, replacing the late Most Rev. Juan de Dios Pueblos who died in October 2017.

Almedilla, 59 and a native of Bohol, was named bishop by Pope Francis in March this year.

“For me, martial law is a deterrent to men or groups having evil intentions,” he told reporters during the press conference on Thursday.

When asked if he is in favor of extending the implementation of martial law in Mindanao, Almedilla said the matter should be decided by the government.

“There’s no tailor-made answer to the question whether to extend or not the imposition of martial law,” he said.

He added that if martial law has done more good to the people then the government must continue its implementation.

But if the government determines that the people in Mindanao no longer need the imposition of martial law, then it should be stopped, Almedilla said.

The opening of the week-long celebration of Mindanao Week of Peace on Thursday was joined by representatives from the indigenous peoples (IPs), Muslims and Christians.

The celebration will run from November 28 to December 4 this year. (PNA)