Guv favors M’nao-only martial law

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BY CAROLYN JANE ABELLO
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ILOILO City – Arthur Defensor Sr. does not believe President Rodrigo Duterte will expand the martial law in Mindanao to Luzon and Visayas.

The Iloilo governor also favored martial law only if it was limited to the southern major region.

Duterte understands the consequences of nationwide military rule, Defensor said.

“I don’t believe the President will do that,” said the governor.

Duterte placed the entire Mindanao under martial law in May after Islamic State-allied extremists laid siege in Marawi City.

Under the Constitution, martial law shall take effect for only 60 days, but Congress approved its extension twice, both upon the request of the President – first, until Dec. 31, and second, until Dec. 31 next year.

Martial law “must be extended to allow government forces to completely stamp out rebellion in Mindanao,” Defense secretary Delfin Lorenzana had said.

But critics insisted there was no actual rebellion in Mindanao, making the extension of martial law unconstitutional.

Defensor said Duterte will have to go through Congress again if and when he wants martial law in Mindanao expanded to the other major regions.

“The President cannot declare martial law without the consent or approval of Congress,” the governor said.

Defensor said he was in favor of martial law only in the south.

Sa Mindanao lang ya, in favor ako. Basta Mindanao lang,” he said, arguing that Mindanao has a different security situation than other areas in the country.

With martial law extended, the suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus has been extended as well.

A party-list representative earlier said Duterte should consider expanding the martial law to Luzon and Visayas.

The presence of New People’s Army (NPA) in Luzon and Visayas will justify a nationwide martial law, Shernee Tan (Kusug Tausug) had said.

But Lorenzana had quickly dismissed the proposal, saying the presence of the NPA in Luzon and Visayas is “manageable.”

“In Visayas and Luzon, manageable po iyong activities ng CPP-NPA diyan, kaya I don’t think that would be [advisable] to spread or to include Visayas and Luzon in the martial law,” Lorenzana had said./PN
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