CHR report of zero HR abuses elates Palace

Malacañang yesterday welcomed the statement of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) that there were no reports of human rights violations in Mindanao nearly a month after President Duterte put the entire island under martial law.

Presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella said the President’s declaration of martial law on May 23 was meant to ensure the safety of the public af- ter Abu Sayyaf bandits and members of the Maute terror group attacked Marawi City.

“We welcome the remarks of the Commission on Human Rights that there have been no reports of human rights abuses and/or violations committed by authorities after the President placed the whole island of Mindanao under martial law,” Abella said.

“Let this put to rest the fears and anxiety of some quarters against martial law,” he added.

Abella issued the statement after Human Rights Commissioner Roberto Eugenio Cadiz told the Inquirer on Friday that CHR regional offices had not reported any violations arising from martial law.

“But there are concerns this might be used for reasons other than quelling rebellion. It may be used for political reasons. There are fears of that, although it has not happened yet,” Cadiz said.

“We’re just airing concerns. We’re not saying it is happening. We’re saying it might,” he added.

The Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) chapter in Lanao del Sur province earlier decried what it described as “wanton” illegal arrests and searches in Marawi.

In an open letter to the President, the IBP-Lanao del Sur chapter condemned the “wanton disregard of sanctity of domicile, the right against deprivation of property without due process of law, the right to be secure in one’s person, house, papers and effects against unreasonable searches and seizures” that were alleged- ly committed by soldiers and policemen.

Malacanañg assured IBP members that all alleged abuses in Marawi would be stopped and the abusers would be punished.

Martial law critics have questioned its constitutionality before the Supreme Court, casting doubts on government claims that violence unleashed by the Abu Sayyaf and Maute rebels in Marawi constituted rebellion.

Others also pointed out that martial law should not have been declared over the whole is- land since the fighting was only in Marawi.

But Abella said that placing the whole island under martial law prevented the fighting from spilling over into other areas in Mindanao.

“As we said in previous occasions, public safety is foremost in the President’s mind in light of the continuing rebellion in Marawi and martial law is a necessary response to address the prevailing reign of terror and its potential spillover to the rest of Mindanao,” he said.