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[av_heading heading=’New petition vs Mindanao martial law extension ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” 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 ADRIAN STEWART CO
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MANILA – Another petition against the one-year extension of martial law in Mindanao was filed at the Supreme Court on Monday.
Human rights lawyers and lawmakers and officials representing cause-oriented groups argued that the move lacked the factual bases required by the Constitution.
“By the government’s own admission, there actually exists no factual nor legal basis to support the extension of martial law and the suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus in Mindanao for a longer period than the original one,” read part of the petition.
Among the petitioners were the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers; party-list representatives including Carlos Zarate (Bayan Muna), Emmie De Jesus and Arlene Brosas (Gabriela), Ariel Casilao (Anakpawis), Antonio Tinio (ACT Teachers), and Sarah Elago (Kabataan); and some Mindanao residents.
“The new alleged grounds that would warrant the extension would still not logically and legally justify an extension because they do not rise to the level of rebellion that constitutes a threat to public,” the petition read.
According to the petitioners, the extension would give way to “alarmingly intensified and increased human rights violations allegedly aimed at quelling legitimate redress of grievances against the government.”
“President Duterte has, without citing any basis, asserted that the opposition and the ‘Left’ are conspiring to overthrow him,” the petition stated. “The Duterte administration has used and will use its martial law powers against dissenters by using the Marcosian martial law tactic of linking dissenters with communists and terrorists.”
Moreover, the petitioners accused Congress of grave abuse of discretion for granting President Rodrigo Duterte’s request for the extension.
In a joint session on Dec. 13 last year, senators and representatives voted to grant Duterte’s request to extend the military rule and the suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus in Mindanao until Dec. 31 this year.
The President cited the ongoing threats in the southern region, the terrorist groups’ attempts to recruit members and plan other attacks, and the threat of rebels./PN
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