MANILA – Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana should not dangle the lifting of martial law declaration in Mindanao with the Congress’ amendments on Human Security Act, Sen. Franklin Drilon said.
“Do not dangle lifting martial law in Mindanao in exchange for the speedy passage of the Human Security Act,” Drilon said in statement. “The passage or non-passage of the amendments to the Human Securities Act is not a ground for extending martial law in Mindanao.”
According to the Ilonggo lawmaker, President Rodrigo Duterte must lift the martial law in the entire island of Mindanao as there is no need for such declaration there.
“The Constitution is clear: martial law may be declared if actual rebellion exists and Congress may extend the declaration if the rebellion persists and public safety requires it,” said Drilon, citing Section 18, Article VII of the Constitution.
“That is the only ground for extension of martial law. But it is clear since day one that the martial law or its extension in Mindanao has no basis,” he said. “It is high time that we lift bring back normalcy in the region.”
Drilon added the Congress can revoke martial law any time sans amendments to the Human Security Act as, as what Lorenzana has said, the martial law has been going on for too long.
“I hope they will not use martial law to put pressure on Congress to pass the amendments to the Human Security Act. The non-passage of the amendments to the Human Security Act should not be used as a basis or justification to further extend martial law. The amendments need thorough debates,” Drilon said.
Lorenzana earlier said that he is not keen to recommend another extension of martial law in Mindanao but the enactment of a stronger law amending Republic Act 9372 or the Human Security Act of 2007 should be done.
President Rodrigo Duterte declared martial law in Mindanao on May 23, 2017 following attacks launched by the Islamic State-linked Maute Group in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur.
It has since been in effect after Congress, in special joint sessions, voted to approve its extension thrice — from July 1 to Dec. 31, 2017; from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2018; and from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2019./PN
