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[av_heading heading=’Lift or extend martial law? Depends on security status – Du30 ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=’30’ subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=” av-medium-font-size-title=” av-small-font-size-title=” av-mini-font-size-title=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=”]
BY PRINCE GOLEZ and ADRIAN STEWART CO
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Monday, November 20, 2017
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MANILA – Martial law remains in effect in Mindanao and lifting or extending it will depend on the military and the police, President Rodrigo Duterte stressed.
Duterte placed the entire southern major island under martial law on May 23 after Islamic State-allied extremists attempted to establish an IS province in Marawi City, capital of Lanao del Sur.
In July Congress granted the President’s request to extend the military rule up until Dec. 31, way beyond the 60-day limit provided in the 1987 Constitution. The Supreme Court upheld Congress’ decision.
“You know, the declaration of martial law is always dependent to what the Armed Forces (of the Philippines) and the (Philippine National) Police recommend,” said Duterte.
“They are the two entities that would be relied upon heavily by a president or head of state when he entertains something like extreme measures – martial law, state of emergency,” added the President.
In October Duterte declared Marawi “liberated” from terrorist threats, ending five-month war that killed hundreds and displaced thousands.
Only the military and the police could tell if Marawi is already safe for civilians, Duterte said. “I do not think that they’d fabricate events.”
According to Armed Forces spokesman Major General Restituto Padilla, they might request for an extension of the martial law to allow government operatives to exterminate the remaining threats.
But several representatives yesterday opposed the idea.
The military rule “creates a climate of fear and surrender by our people of their freedoms to strongman rule,” Tom Villarin of Akbayan said in a statement.
“The Marawi tragedy is now unfortunately being used to justify a sweeping policy approach of containing terrorism and a peace process,” said Villarin.
“This creeping authoritarian rule is sapping our democracy and any vestiges of the rule of law,” he added. “By having unlimited martial law, we cater to the desires of President Duterte to hold power beyond the mandate of our Constitution.”
Further extending martial law will not necessarily resolve the conflict in the region, said Teddy Baguilat Jr. of Ifugao.
“Martial law will not normalize the situation. Investments will not come in. Distrust by the Muslims on the administration will persist with military rule,” Baguilat said. “Martial law should not be seen as a permanent solution.”
According to Baguilat, martial law “is a temporary response to an extraordinary security problem, such as rebellion and invasion.”
“Now that the Maute group has been obliterated, the government should now focus on rehabilitation efforts in Marawi,” he said./PN
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