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BY PRINCE GOLEZ and ADRIAN STEWART CO
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Thursday, May 25, 2017
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MANILA – Less than 24 hours after declaring martial law in Mindanao, President Rodrigo Duterte said he was also open to expanding it to the Visayas.
The President placed Mindanao under martial rule late Tuesday night while on a state visit to Russia following the attack of the Maute terrorist group on Marawi City.
“(Visayas) is just walking distance (from Mindanao) actually, and because of (Visayas’) many islands (the Maute group) can always escape there and begin another terroristic activity,” Duterte explained upon his arrival yesterday at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport from Moscow.
The President cut short his four-day state visit to deal with the security crisis in Marawi City.
He ordered the military to “embargo” the islands, especially the sea that separates Mindanao from the Visayas.
“I might also decide to suspend the writ of habeas corpus in the Visayas,” said Duterte who flew to Russia just this Monday.
He, however, clarified that this would not be applied to law-abiding citizens.
“(The military is) the least of your worries,” the President stressed.
In declaring a 60-day martial law over Mindanao, the former Davao City mayor said checkpoints, extensive searches and arrests without warrants will be allowed.
Under the 1987 Constitution, there is no warrantless arrest with the declaration of martial law unless the writ of habeas corpus is suspended, and the suspension will only cover those who are charged with rebellion.
The President said there may be curfew, too, in certain areas of Mindanao such as Lanao del Sur, Lanao del Norte, Sultan Kudarat, North Cotabato, and Zamboanga.
“If there’s open defiance, you will die. If it means many people dying, so be it,” said Duterte.
‘HARSH AS MARCOS’ MARTUAL RULE’
The martial law in Mindanao will be as harsh as the one implemented by the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, the President said.
In a video message while on his way to Manila from Moscow, Duterte said the martial law was needed to restore order in Marawi City.
“Martial law is martial law. So kayong mga kababayan ko, you’ve experienced martial law, it would not be any different from what President (Ferdinand) Marcos did. I’d be harsh,” said Duterte.
He also said although the Mindanao martial law will be for 60 days, this may be extended for a year depending on the situation in the area.
“I was asked before how will I deal with terrorism. I said I will be harsh,” said Duterte. “I have to (declare) martial law to preserve the Republic of the Philippines and the Filipino people.”
The Maute group raided various establishments including a school and church, and kidnapped priests.
“What I told everyone during the campaign period, do not force my hand into (declaring martial law),” said Duterte.
CONGRESS WAITS FOR REPORT
Under the Constitution, the President is required to submit a report to Congress within 48 hours after declaring martial law.
“We will await a copy of the report, which should be coming to us not later than tomorrow, to find out the factual basis of such declaration,” said Ilonggo Senate minority leader Franklin Drilon yesterday.
Under the Constitution, Congress has the power to revoke the President’s declaration of martial law.
“But the power to revoke should be based on factual basis in the same manner that the declaration should have factual basis,” said Drilon.
The senator said he would request that they be given a separate briefing on what were the circumstances that led to the declaration of martial law.
“I think that would be useful so that we could fully understand the premises or the basis, because we get conflicting reports like, I heard the Armed Forces spokesman saying that everything was under control. If this is so, why was martial law declared? We don’t want to come to any conclusion until, at the very least, we get a report as required by the Constitution,” said Drilon.
The senator said Congress wanted to know the factual basis of the martial law declaration.
“It is important because anybody can question in the Supreme Court the factual basis of the declaration,” he said.
Drilon also clarified that martial law does not suspend the Constitution.
“It does not substitute the civil courts with military courts. The civil courts will continue to function. The bill of rights will continue to be enforced,” he said./PN
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