Martial law extension backed
Duterte admits rebellion in Mindanao can’t be quelled by July 22
House leaders on Tuesday rallied behind President Duterte’s call to Congress to extend martial law in Mindanao until December 31, 2017.
Faced with the lingering threat of rebellion in Mindanao, President Duterte has sought the extension of martial law in the troubled region until the end of the year. He admitted that the government is unable to put an end to the threat posed by terror groups by July 22.
Proclamation No. 216, which declared a state of martial law and suspending the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus in the whole of Mindanao for 60 days, will expire on Saturday.
“I have come to the conclusion that the existing rebellion in Mindanao, which has prompted me to issue Proclamation No. 216 on 23 May 2017 will not be quelled completely by 22 July 2017. The last day of the 60-day period provided under Section 18 Article
VII of the 1987 Constitution,” Duterte said in the letter.
“For this reason and because public safety requires it, I call upon the Congress to extend until 31st of December 2017 or for such a period of time as the Congress may determine, the proclamation of the martial law and the suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus in the whole of Mindanao,” he said.
House Majority Leader Rudy Fariñas bared Monday evening Duterte’s request.
Special session As such, senators and congressmen will hold a special joint session on Saturday, two days before the official start of the second regular session of the 17th Congress.
Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III expressed optimism that Congress would approve President Duterte’s request. He said he and his colleagues would be guided by the President’s formal request, not by verbal reports.
Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel (2nd District), chairman of the Committee on Good Governance and Public Accountability, dubbed the extension of military rule as the solution to the problem in Marawi.
“We will support the request of President Duterte regarding the extension of martial law. We believe this is the solution to the Marawi crisis,” Pimentel said in a text message.
Supermajority solons Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers (2nd District) and Davao City Rep. Karlo Alexei Nograles (1st District) both noted that their fellow Mindanaoan Duterte has access to vital information regarding the crisis in Marawi City which in the first place led to the martial law declaration.
“No less than the President would know the real score on the ground. So if the President sees it fit to extend [martial law], I will support it,” said Barbers, chairman of the Dangerous Drugs Committee, in a text message.
Nograles, chairman of the Appropriations panel, said in a statement: “We are 100 percent behind the president in any decision concerning the present situation in Mindanao.”
“As commander-in-chief, the President has in his possession sensitive intel and the best information on the continuing threats of terrorism in the region,” he said.
Deputy Speaker and Batangas Rep. Raneo Abu and Citizens Battle against Corruption (CIBAC) party-list Rep. Sherwin Tugna, a lawyer, both said there is nothing illegal with the Chief Executive’s proposed five-month extension on martial law.
“I support President Duterte’s call to Congress for a special session on Saturday, July 22. It is in accordance with the Constitution. I fully believe that he considered all the available information and intelligence reports before coming up with such a decision,” Abu said.
“President Duterte’s action is compliant with the Constitution. I personally believe that Marawi needs the extension of martial law so that the military and police can weed out the Maute, ISIS and their collaborating sympathizers and terrorists,” said Tugna, chairman of the House Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms.
“If the situation so warrants, I will support it. I think the problem on terrorism is so complex and so grave that (it) warrants a comprehensive and decisive campaign,” said Eastern Samar Rep. Ben Evardone, chairman of the House Committee on Banks and Financial Intermediaries.
Camarines Sur Rep. LRay Villafuerte (2nd District), in a separate text message, said he’ll also approve of a martial law extension in the southern islands if armed forces and police officials attest to its necessity.
“If the PNP/ Armed Forces show there are valid justifications and necessity for the extension of martial law, I am in favor of it together with the majority of Filipinos who have given [Duterte] a higher approval and trust ratings after his declaration of martial law in Mindanao,” he said.
The President’s decision on the longer martial rule was reached after his “thorough personal assessment” of the situation in Marawi City and other parts of Mindanao as well as consideration of the recommendation given by top defense, military, and police officials.
Unhampered operations By extending the martial rule in Mindanao, Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said troops could continue with their operations “unhampered with deadlines.” It would also allow government forces to focus more on the liberation of Marawi City and its eventual rebuilding plans, according to Abella.
“It will have to deal with the local terrorist groups and anything that threatens public safety in Mindanao,” he said about the proposed martial law extension.
Asked if the security threat was clear and present, Abella said: “Enough to be able to declare that it should be extended.”
“The President has been prescient in seeing this and so it’s something that while it can be of concern, we can also be confident in the fact that he’s taking – he’s taking a proactive action regarding the matter,” he said.
“He’s not being reactive. He’s actually being proactive regarding the declaration of martial law all over Mindanao,” he added.
While most lawmakers support martial extension, Sen. Antonio F. Trillanes IV, a member of the Senate minority bloc, said “is not justified.”
“The AFP itself said the (terrorist) Mautes are down to 60. So, in other words, the people of Mindanao would be inconvenienced by martial law just to neutralize the 60 Mautes who are cornered in Marawi?” he asked.
“That’s just a whimsical misuse of power. Then again, I have already forewarned the public of Duterte’s authoritarian tendencies and this is another proof of it,” he added.
Debate sought
The Makabayan bloc in the House of Representatives called for a thorough debate on President Duterte’s request for martial law extension, stressing it should not be railroaded.
“Bagamat kami ay bahagi ng Supermajority coalition, panawagan natin sa House leadership... walang sagasaan (Despite our being part of the Supermajority coalition, our appeal to the House leadership is...no railroading),” Anakpawis party-list Rep. Ariel Casilao said in a press conference.
Casilao specifically directed his appeal to House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez and Fariñas.
“Allow each member of the two Houses to deliberate, to state whether or not in favor or against [the extension of martial law] as long as it is within the bounds of the subject matter,” he said.
Casilao insisted that a “comprehensive and substantive deliberation on the merits and de-merits of whether or not to extend the implementation of martial law” must take place.
Other Makabayan solons Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Carlos Zarate and ACT-Teachers party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio also underscored the propriety of having a thorough debate among the lawmakers this Saturday.
“Kung simpleng pagpapalit ng pangalan ng eskwelahan or daan ay pinag-dedebatihan, lalo na itong extension ng martial law (If the simple name change of a school or highway entails debate, what more the extension of martial law),” he pointed out.
Zarate said that Congress “must exercise its role to review the reasons for the extension of military rule.”
For his part, Tinio said: “Kapag pumasa ito agad, railroaded yun. Hindi pwedeng ceremonial lang yung sa Sabado (If this is passed immediately then it was railroaded. The Saturday event should not be just merely ceremonial.” (With a report from Mario B. Casayuran)