THE Congress is duty-bound to review the basis for the issuance of President Duterte’s Proclamation 216 placing Mindanao under martial law, Sen. Sherwin T. Gatchalian said on Thursday.
In urging Senate and House leaders to act on the matter, Gatchalian invoked a Supreme Court admonition that “the power to declare martial law poses the most severe threat to civil liberties…a strong medicine, which should not be resorted to lightly”.
Gatchalian, however, hastened to clarify he is not imputing ill-motive behind the martial-law imposition by Duterte. “While I continue to believe that the President is motivated by the best intentions in issuing Proclamation 216, the extraordinary nature of the awesome powers invoked by the President requires Congress to exercise its constitutionally mandated check-and-balance functions as soon as possible.”
Gatchalian cited the fact that Proclamation 216 also includes the suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus, which he describes as “a power even more grave than the declaration of martial law itself, [that] makes the timely exercise of this congressional power of review even more urgent” by immediately convening a joint session of the Senate and the House.
“In line with this, I am calling on the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives to immediately convene the constituent chambers of Congress in a joint session to exercise the legislative duty under Article VII, Section 18 of the 1987 Constitution to review Proclamation 216,” he suggested.
Gatchalian pointed out “martial law is already being implemented in Mindanao as we speak.”
“Every day that passes is a lost opportunity for the members of Congress to fulfill our responsibility to safeguard the rights and welfare of our constituents,” the Senator said. “Therefore, both houses of Congress must come together as soon as humanly possible to discuss Proclamation 216 and ensure that the government is using the most proper and effective means to restore peace, order, and security in Marawi City.” Gatchalian added.
Alunan defends martial-law declaration
FORMER Interior Secretary Rafael M. Alunan III has defended Duterte’s declaration of martial law in Mindanao to stop the reign of terror perpetrated by Islamist terror groups in the region.
In a press statement, Alunan rallied the Filipino people to support the President’s move “to clampdown on the clear threats to human security” when Maute members in cahoots with the Abu Sayyaf bandit group attacked Marawi City on Tuesday, killing people, including civilians.
The bandits also burned a Roman Catholic church, jails and other buildings, sowing terror in the entire city as people were screaming as they ran for their lives.
Alunan hailed the President’s move to stop Islamic militants from their rampage killing. The bandits also kidnapped people, including a Roman Catholic priest.
The military and the police engaged the terrorists in heavy fighting since Tuesday.
Duterte declared martial in Mindanao for 60 days to clampdown on the clear threats to human security—Islamist terrorism, communist insurgency, syndicated crime and ecological destruction,” Alunan said.
“Right now, the immediate focus is on Marawi and environs. Let us rally around the President, our beleaguered local governments and their constituents, and our security and safety forces. Let us rally behind the Flag”, he added.
Alunan said the raid on Marawi City was similar to the Ipil, Zamboanga del Sur, incident on April 3, 1995, where some 200 Abu Sayyaf bandits killed 53 people, burned the public market and looted banks before fleeing.
He also condemned the bandits for killing civilians, especially those who could not recite certain Islamic verses.
Worse, militants use human shields when they are pursued by government forces, he said.
“People of Marawi, resist extremism and resist the bandits. Unite and work closely with the authorities. Defeat the threats to your lives, children, homes, businesses, schools, places of worship and, above all, your precious freedom,” Alunan said.
He also said that “local governments must have their peace and order councils, crisis management teams and emergency services in place and working round the clock to protect t heir constituents and bring them to safety.”
Teamwork and information dissemination are crucial in defeating terrorism, he added.
Alunan also urged the Filipinos here and abroad “pray for peace” for the country during this crisis.
With PNA