House leaders ready to back martial law extension if needed
Leaders of the House of Representatives have expressed readiness to back Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez’s proposal to extend the duration of martial law in Mindanao “for as long as it is needed.”
Surigao del Norte 2nd district Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, Isabela 1st district Rep. Rodito Albano, and Parañaque City 2nd district Rep. Gus Tambunting said President Rodrigo Duterte should be allowed to maintain martial law in Mindanao for as long as it is needed.
“I will support any extension as long as there is still threat of terrorism, rebellion, and invasion by the Islamic State, the Maute, and Abu Sayyaf,” said Barbers, chairman of the House Committee on Dangerous Drugs.
Malacañang’s Proclamation No. 216 placed the entire region of Mindanao under military rule for 60 days. It was issued last May 23, the day Maute attacked Marawi City, Lanao del Sur. Government troops have yet to completely clear Marawi City of the Maute and Islamic fighters
Alvarez, Duterte’s fellow Mindanaoan and top ally in the legislature, said recently: “If the conditions warrant the prolonging of martial law to save lives, who are we to refuse?”
Albano, representative of the ruling party Partido Demokratiko PilipinoLakas ng Bayan’s (PDP-Laban) in the Commission on Appointments, had asked Alvarez about the provision in the Constitution which grants Congress the power to extend the duration of martial law.
Tambunting, chairman of the Committee on Games and Amusements, said, “If it remains necessary and the situation is still not under control, I will not object to an extension.” Human rights assured The implementation of martial law in Mindanao by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is proof that President Duterte has high regard for human rights and if there ae any complaints, the AFP will surely act on them immediately, AFP spokesman Brig. Gen. Restituito Padilla said yesterday.
“You can see how the military is implementing martial law now, its complete regard for human rights and International Humanitarian Law and the other protocols that have been established,” he said at the Mindanao Hour press briefing Monday morning.
Asked about President Duterte’s remarks that if he were to proclaim martial law a second time, it would be like the martial law of former President Marcos, General Padilla said the President was referring to the breadth and depth of the new proclamation, not to the human rights abuses identified with the Marcos martial law.
He reiterated Duterte’s earlier statement that people have nothing to worry about martial law if they are law-abiding citizens. “If there are any complaints, we are open to receiving those complaints and acting on it immediately,” he added.
Last Sunday, presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella welcomed the report of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) that no cases of human rights violations were reported with the declaration of martial law in Mindanao.
20 terrorist groups At the Supreme Court, government lawyers said Monday that there are 20 other terrorist organizations with links to the Islamic State that are operating in Mindanao.
In a memorandum, Solicitor General Jose Calida said the 20 groups – aside from Maute Group, Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), and the Abu Sayyaf Group – have already attacked Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Zamboanga, and Davao with their objective of removing Mindanao from its allegiance to the Philippine government.
Calida’s memorandum identified the 20 terror groups as the Ansar Dawiah Fi Filibbin, Rajah Solaiman Islamic Movement, Al Harakatul Islamiyah Battalion, Jama’at Ansar Khilafa, Ansharul Khilafah Philippines Battalion, Bangsamoro Justice Movement, Khilafah Islamiya Mindanao, Abu Sayyaf Group (Sulu faction), Syuful Khilafa Fi Luzon, Ma’rakah Al-Ansar Battalion, Dawla Islamiyyah Cotabato, Dawlat Al Islamiyah Waliyatul Masrik, Ansar Al-Shariyah Battalion, Jamaah al-Tawhid wal Jihad Philippines, Abu Dujanah Battalion, Abu Khubayn Battalion, Jundallah Battalion, Abu Sadr Battalion, Jamaah Al Muhajirin wal Anshor, and Balik-Islam Group
Calida pointed out that there were already 43 violent attacks by the 20 terror groups using mostly improvised explosive devices (IED), harassments, and kidnappings.
The SC ordered the submission of the memorandum after wrapping up its three-day oral arguments last week on three petitions that challenged the constitutionality of Proclamation No. 216 which declared martial law and suspended the writ of habeas corpus in Mindanao for 60 days.
The two other petitions which seek to compel the two houses of Congress to convene jointly and tackle Proclamation No. 216 were not included in the oral arguments. But the SC had already directed the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) to file its comment.
“The survival of the State hangs in the balance,” Calida said in the memorandum.
Calida also said the SC should take notice that the siege in Marawi City has been going on for 30 days now.
“This alone is proof enough that the goal of these lawless elements is not merely to sow fear and panic to the populace, but to actually establish a stronghold in the Mindanao region and deprive duly constituted authorities of their powers and prerogatives,” he added.
Philconsa support
The Philippine Constitution Association (Philconsa), in a statement, backed Duterte’s Proclamation No. 216 and expressed regret that some sectors questioned the proclamation.
“Philconsa President Martin Romualdez regrets that some sectors have questioned Proclamation 216, notwithstanding the fact that the great majority of the people and Congress have expressed their wholehearted support,” it said.
Philcomaa Chairman Manuel Lazaro said the heinous activities of the Islamic State-nspired Maute have “justified and warranted the judicious wisdom and propriety of the President Duterte’s actions.”
Philconsa also called on the public to stand united in support of the Presidsent’s, fight against the terrorists “to secure the safety of the people and the very existence of the state.”