PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte wants martial law in Mindanao, imposed in May, extended for one more year and, senior officials said, will again seek Congress’ approval following the recommendations by the military and the police.
Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, in a text message to reporters, confirmed the President would be transmitting his latest appeal to both chambers of Congress today.
In related developments:
• Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said the terrorist group Daulah Islamiyah, connected to the Maute and Abu Sayyaf groups, had been planning to attack another city in the country.
Andanar revealed this as he stressed the need to extend martial law in Mindanao, based on the proposal of the AFP.
In an interview over Super Radyo dzBB, Andanar said the Daulah Islamiyah group had continued its recruitment activities.
The Department of National Defense and the Department of the Interior and Local Government, in separate recommendations to the President, said that military rule would help in rebuilding the Islamic city as “the threat of terrorism remains.”
• The Commission on Human Rights said Sunday the extension of martial law in Mindanao beyond the Dec. 31 deadline might be a prelude to a “strongman rule.”
CHR Commissioner Roberto Cadiz said in an interview with Super Radyo dzBB that the military and the police’s recommendation to extend the Mindanao martial law was “alarming” because it had no justification.
DND public affairs chief Arsenio Andolong said in an interview: “It will help us to continue our momentum in our campaign against the Daesh [Arabic word for ISIS] and their sympathizers and not to do so will allow them to regroup again.
“[And] as you know there have been reports that they are recruiting already in the Lanao area so I think this will help curb their activities on the ground.
“If we dont have martial law, it will be very difficult for the rehabilitation of Marawi and the other war torn areas in the area.”
House Majority Leader and Ilocos Norte Rep. Rodolfo Fariñas said the Lower House was expected to receive Monday the letter signed by Duterte seeking Congress’ approval for the extension of martial law in Mindanao beyond Dec. 31.
Fariñas said Medialdea informed him about the matter through a text message.
As to how long the martial law in Mindanao shall be extended, Fariñas said he would not know until the matter was discussed by the House leadership.
Congress, which upheld Duterte’s first request to extend martial law in Mindanao last July 22, will be going on a Christmas break on Dec. 15, and will resume sessions on January 15 next year.
Recently, the Supreme Court, in a 10-3-1 vote, affirmed the constitutionality of Duterte’s order to place Mindanao under martial law.
Former Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesman Maj. Gen. Restituto Padilla in a news briefing last Friday said while terrorist groups in Mindanao were largely “scattered,” “disorganized,” and “leaderless,” recruitment still continued in most parts of Mindanao, promising fabulous pay just to join the jihadist movement.
“Those who survived that siege still remain at large and are attempting to recover by recruiting other members of the society, particularly the vulnerable sector of our population, and they are students, children, women and the like, as well as relatives of those who lost their lives in the fight,” he added.
The military also cited continuing significant violent activities of other terrorist groups affiliated with the Islamic State, such as the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters controlling Maguindanao, Lanao and Cotabato, along with the Abu Sayyaf in the islands of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.
Padilla also cited threats by the communist New Peoples’ Army as a growing threat in Mindanao, which grew in number during the lull in the peace negotiations.
Amid the perceived criticism on the possibility of a second extension of martial law, presidential spokesman Harry Roque, in an earlier news briefing, insisted that what mattered most was the opinion of those on the ground, and not those far from the battle zone.
“What matters most is the view of the stakeholders, the view of the Mindanaoans on martial law…why should people from Luzon complain?” he earlier said.
Duterte, in less than 24 hours during his trip to Moscow, Russia on May 23 placed the entire island of Mindanao under martial law after the ISIS-inspired Maute group laid siege in Marawi City.
The initial declaration was supposed to end after 60 days, but Congress, in joint session, approved Duterte’s request to extend it until the end of the year.
Last October 17, Duterte declared Marawi City free from terrorists after security forces were able to neutralize terrorist leaders Isnilon Hapilon and Omar Maute.
According to Article VII, Section 18 of the 1987 Constitution, the President as Commander in Chief can place the Philippines or any part of it under martial law or suspend the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus “in case of invasion or rebellion, when the public safety requires it.”
The President must submit a report to Congress in person or in writing within 48 hours of the proclamation of martial law.
Congress, in turn, voting jointly, by at least a majority of all its members in regular or special session, may revoke the proclamation, and the President may not set aside the revocation. With PNA, Maricel Cruz and Bill Casas
