ML fears more imaginary than real
Iunderstand the worry of those who oppose the declaration of martial law in Mindanao that its implementation might result in widespread abuses. We can’t blame them, especially those with traumatic experience in Marcos-type martial law.
But their fear is more imaginary than real. Mora ni sila niadtong mga tawo nga dili na gustong mahigugma pag-usab gumikan sa ilang mapait ug masakit nga kasinatian sa una nilang gugma. Ug ilang giisip ang maong mapait nga kasinatian usa ka dakong daman o bangungot sa ilang kinabuhi nga dili nila mahimong makalimtan.
Their mindset is that martial law is bad. This even if the government assured them that the martial law in Mindanao is different. Again, our 1987 Constitution states that martial law implementation cannot be a subject of abuse by the powers that be.
Was the declaration justified? According to some legal experts, Duterte has factual and solid basis in declaring martial law because “clear and present danger” exists. The attempt by the terrorist Maute group to take over Marawi City is already a catastrophe. Many people have been killed, thousands of residents have been displaced and Marawi has become a ghost city.
Some retired justices of the Supreme Court, the national chapter of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines and even some church leaders are strongly supporting the martial law declaration. So too Orlando Cardinal Quevedo, whose stand was echoed by Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma. I haven’t read yet the stand of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP). I hope the CBCP hierarchy will listen to Cardinal Quevedo because he knows what’s happening on the ground.
What possible abuses might be committed for the duration of the declaration? Possibly human rights violations against innocent civilians, like the indiscriminate issuance of arrests and search warrants. Suspected terrorist might just be picked up by the police and military. Critics could be physically harmed or arrested and media outlets can be closed down.
It has been one week since the proclamation. For martial law critics, please tell me if any anti-Duterte politician in any part of Mindanao has been arrested and locked up in jail. Please tell me if a media outfit in Mindanao was closed down because it is critical to the administration.
These critics are only concerned with the possible abuses that might be committed by the martial law implementer. But they were not alarmed and they did not condemn the atrocities committed by the terrorist group.
Isn’t it an abuse when the terrorists brutally beheaded innocent people? Isn’t it a barbaric act to massacre those who just happened to pass by their checkpoints? And isn’t it inhuman when they looted the city and even used some residents as human shields? Which do you prefer, terrorism or martial law?