Is safety an issue in Mindanao? For owners and executives of large companies that are searching for novel opportunities to expand business, this is a fair question to ask. The continued implementation of martial law in Mindanao has created fear in some business owners, potential investors and foreign visitors.
But, contrary to the negative clout surrounding it, martial law has been shown to be effective in lowering crime rates. According to information provided by the PNP, there had been a 36.12% reduction in the rates of eight focus crimes in Mindanao between May 2017 (when martial law started) and August 2018. This indicates that, despite its restrictions, martial law has contributed to Mindanao’s peace and order.[1]
The large budgetary appropriation for Mindanao also signals the government’s aggressive fight for the region’s sustained safety and development. Now, Mindanao is back in business, and international investors have warmed up, looking past the restricting nature of martial law and placing their bet in the Philippines’ southern islands.