MANILA, PHILIPPINES — While lawmakers and political analysts have expressed
differing views on the declaration of martial law in Mindanao, they agreed that
it was important for public to trust in President Rodrigo Duterte's intention
to protect the public.
“We have to trust the genuine intention of the President to declare
martial law in order to protect the people of Mindanao,” former Northern Samar
Rep. Emil Ong said during the “Extremism and Martial Law Forum” aired on the
People’s Television Network (PTV4) Friday night.
Ong stressed that President Duterte’s declaration of martial law was
different from martial law declared in 1972 by former President Ferdinand
Marcos where many human rights abuses were reported.
He assured the public that there are several safeguards in place under
the 1987 Constitution which could limit if not prevent abuses from being
carried out.
“The most important thing is the 60-day limitation. If the Congress
says they cannot accept the martial law declaration because the causes of
martial law are not there, the President cannot overrule that. It's congress
that's more powerful than the one that declared martial law,” Ong said,
At the same time, Ong urged the public to exercise their rights as
citizens even under the newly declared martial law.
“Don’t be afraid of martial law because this is a different kind of
martial law. This martial law is to protect the Filipino people, to protect the
legitimate government,” he added.
Ong further pointed out that martial law was meant to protect not only
the public but also businesses.
“I think the purpose of declaring martial law is also to protect the
business sector. Business can improve when there is peace and order. We cannot
progress when there is no peace and order,” Ong said.
University of the Philippines (UP) political science professor Ranjit
Rye said that support was necessary as it was clear that violent extremism was
present during the attack in Marawi City.
“We really need to support our government because there is a clear and
present danger of violent extremism,” Rye said.
He expressed hope that civil society and the private sector would also
engage to resolve the long standing problems that create extremism.
Moreover, he reminded the public to also do their part in exercising
their rights by being vigilant on possible abuses that could arise.
“It’s clear there are safeguards in place but abuses can happen in the
ground largely because law enforcement might not actually be educated about
human rights. We need civil society to come into play, we need individuals to
become citizens,” Rye said.
“If there is a violation, we should immediately complain and we should
make it known. (The declaration of martial law) is for the protection of
individuals not to be a license to violate and abuse,” he added.
“…The president, his team are privy to information that not all of us
are privy to. He has transmitted his explanation to Congress, and next week
Congress will deliberate and we will get a clearer picture of what the
intelligence situation has been or is,” Rye said.
He explained that the President’s decision to declare martial law
should not be viewed by the public as a “solution” but a “short-term remedy” to
the ongoing conflict.
“I think that the declaration is a short-term remedy. I don’t think the
President saw it as a solution, it will never be a solution. It was meant as an
emergency power utilized to quell clear and present danger which is the
rebellion,” he said.
On Wednesday, President Duterte placed the entire Mindanao island under
martial law for 60 days after government troops and Maute Group terrorists
allied with Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon clashed on Tuesday afternoon in
Marawi City. (PNA)#DefendRepublic
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