Zamboangueños told to stay vigilant

ZAMBOANGA CITY — Zamboanga City Rep Celso Lobregat yesterday called on the people here to stay vigilant and alert in the face of stricter security measures that will be imposed here in connection with President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s implementation of martial law in Mindanao for the next two months.

Lobregat expressed confidence that President Duterte had enough wisdom and reasons to declare martial law because of the prevailing situation in Marawi City.

He said containing the insurgency problem in one area and resolving it swiftly was the best move to resolve the prevailing conflict.

Lobregat noted that this was a kind of presidential disposition that was embedded in the powers of the Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

“The president’s declaration of Martial Law is within the premise of the constitution, it is legal and justifiable especially in crisis situations like this one in Marawi,” Lobregat said.

The first district congressman also pointed out that declaring a Mindanaowide martial law was justified, considering that local terrorists can easily transfer from one area to another.

But Lobregat cautioned the military and the police not to abuse their authority as provided in the imposition of martial rule.

Section 18, Article VII of the 1987 Philippine Constitution says that the President, as commander-in-chief, may “in case of invasion or rebellion, when the public safety requires it” suspend the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus or place the country under martial law. The writ safeguards individual freedom against arbitrary state action.

Lobregat said that the military and police authorities in Zamboanga are capable of thwarting any atrocities but will still need the substantial support of civilians, especially in providing vital information about the presence of suspiciouslooking in their respective communities.