Martial law anxiety

Iwas still at work when I read in passing the news on the declaration of martial law in Mindanao, Philippines. I could not finish reading it without feeling the anxiety of long buried bad memories of martial law during the Marcos regime, of cousins and friends who were never heard or seen again. I am still reminded of that day after martial law was declared when silence was the norm. TV and radios were closed and there were no newspapers to read.

When I first learned about President Rodrigo Duterte’s declaration of martial law in Mindanao, I was worried over my family and friends I left behind. I comforted myself with the thought that it was fake news. Then I read the post of Dr. Tony Amor, at the Facebook page of the Filipino-American Community of the Carolinas (FACC) that confirmed the news.

The anxiety was somewhat relieved after I read the post of Cagayan de Oro City Information Officer Maricel Casino Rivera about Mayor Oscar Moreno’s support of martial law so long as it is within the bounds set by the 1987 Constitution. Before I can finish reading the online newspapers I received numerous questions from Filipino_Americans here at the Carolinas asking about the situation over there in Mindanao. They have families and friends in the cities of Cagayan de Oro, Davao and Butuan as well as Misamis Occidental province.

I promised to post interesting news stories about it but I told them not to worry since everything would be okay. As of this writing, based on information I received it seems that everything is normal because freedom of movement, expression and the writ of habeas corpus are still in effect in Cagayan de Oro. In fact, Rivera clarified that there is no curfew in Cagayan de Oro. I don’t know about the other cities and provinces. The declaration of martial law means that the military takes over governance usually done by civilian government in a crisis situation.

Under the 1987 Constitution, the President is allowed to declare martial law in response to temporary emergencies. Are these conditions present during the Maute attacks largely confined in Marawi City? Reports from Philippine media outlets were that the Maute terrorist group has taken over a hospital in Marawi City, burning government facilities and killing soldiers.

All these constitute rebellion but the worst part is the planting of the black Isis flags in most houses and buildings in Marawi City. These images present a city in chaos, a breakdown of order and the capitulation of civilian government there over to the terrorists. That the Abu Sayyaf tried to instigate attacks in Bohol province at the onset of the Holy Week when I was still in the country back then spoke of how determined these terrorists are in sowing havoc in the countryside. While the Abu Sayyaf’s Bohol misadventure ended up a failure, it was enough of a warning to President Duterte to declare martial law in Mindanao for 60 days. So far the people I asked in Charlotte who are from Mindanao agreed with what the president did. They knew like me what is happening in Mindanao.

I don’t blame other Filipinos who are also against the declaration since they were reminded of the dark days of the Philippines during the 70s martial law period. Maybe they don’t fully know or appreciate the crisis facing Marawi City and the rest of Mindanao from the terrorists. I agree with President Duterte’s position that it is high time to put Mindanao in order.

Mindanao is supposed to be the land of promise but that promise was cut short by terrorists who we assume to be funded by their rich benefactors in the Middle East. These terrorist are locals. Take the case of the kidnapfor-ransom activities of the Abu Sayyaf which had become big business since they can rely on the assistance of sympathizers in villages to help them commit these heinous crimes. We take notice that the Maute and Abu Sayyaf groups forged in alliance to pool their resources and make them appear stronger that what they actually are so they can get Isis support. Fortunately President Duterte is aware of the situation and won’t fall for it. Coincidence or not the Marawi City siege occurred just as 22 persons died in a bombing at an Arianne Grande concert in Manchester, Great Britain. Zenny Macas -Trippe of Washington State who is also from Cagayan de Oro said she agreed with my position on martial law so long as the safety nets are in place and freedoms and rights are upheld. Tonette Batoon also of Cagayan de Oro agreed.

“We just pray that President Duterte will use the power vested in him to solve the problem and the time has come to solve terrorism and other crimes in Mindanao,” she said. I join every Filipino in praying that collateral damage will be minimized and President Duterte lifts martial law after 60 days.

That during this time a person’s rights and civil liberties will be respected and upheld.

Let me finish this corner this time by quoting Dr. Tony Amor who is from Dumaguete City and I quote “Although we-Filipino Americans may be separated by time and distance from our native Philippines, we continue to maintain close ties with our family and friends left behind, regularly sending financial and material aid back home, while looking to a comfortable retirement in the familiar surroundings of our youth. I hope that these issues would be resolved soon and people start rebuilding Mindanao where everyone is happy and secured.”

My special thanks to a dear friend Lynn Lorenzo Polk who loves the Philippines dearly and helped organize my thoughts on this issue.