By Ben Rosario
House Majority Leader and Camarines Sur Rep. Rolando Andaya Jr. is optimistic another extension ofmartial law in Mindanao will enjoy strong backing in the Lower Chamber.
“If the President will ask for it, then chances are it shall be given,” stated Andaya.
Newly elected House Majority Floor Leader and Camarines Sur Rep. Rolando “Nonoy” Andaya Jr. (Facebook / MANILA BULLETIN)
“The concurrence will be expedited if the military and the police will renew their commitment to respect the constitutional rights of every individual in the territory covered by the declaration,” he added.
Maguindanao Rep. ZajidMangudadatu, vice chairman of the House Committee on Mindanao Affairs, called on the leadership of the House of Representatives to prepare for a joint session of Congress that will consider the proposed new extension of martial law.
Mangudadatu welcomed the recommendation of the Armed Forces of the Philippines for a renewal of the martial law application, saying he expects majority of Mindanao solons to back it.
“Martial law has proven to be the antidote to lawless violence and terrorism that made Mindanao one of the most dangerous places in the country. We are experiencing peace but there is still much work to do,” said Mangudadatu.
The Muslim solon said martial law has also been effective in dismantling private armies that he and his brother, Gov. Toto Mangudadatu, have battled in the past several years.
But Anak Mindanao Rep. AmihildaSangcopan slammed the AFP’s bid to seek another one-year extension of military rule in Mindanao.
Sangcopan said there is no valid reason to support the claim that the south is still under threat from terrorists and other armed groups.
She noted that placing Mindanao under martial law during an election year may endanger the Commission on Election’s responsibility of ensuring fairness.
Opposition Reps. Tom Villarin (Akbayan), Carlos Zarate (Bayan Muna), along with ACT Teachers Parytlist Rep. Antonio Tinio and France Castro, vowed to block efforts to extend martial law.
Villarin noted that the military claims of a “clamor” among the people and “terrorism” lurking in the area have become a new normal and habit-forming for the military takeover of civilian functions.
“It is straining too much the constitutional limits and raison d’etre of martial law. Since when has public clamor become a basis for imposing martial law? It’s a dangerous precedent and a militaristic mindset,” Villarin said.
On the other hand, Zarate said another move to extend martial law “is no longer surprising.”
“Actually, if we would leave it to the AFP, they would recommend martial (law) forever, not only for Mindanao but for the whole country. They would devise any pretext, even 'make believe' ones like their dismally flopped Red October canard, if only to justify martial rule,” said the progressive solon.
He added: “It is pitiable that Galvez and the military cannot even candidly admit that they are the ones actually ‘clamoring’ for martial law extension and not the majority of Mindanaoans.”
Meanwhile, Tinio and Castro warned that another year of martial law will mean “more human rights violations and harassment by the military, paramilitary and the police.”
“Martial law in Mindanao has been used to terrorize and harass innocent civilians, human rights defenders, humanitarian workers, lumad communities, environmental advocates and activists,” Tinio said.
Castro, who was recently arrested by the military in Davao del Norte on child abuse charges, said she has experienced “first-hand how human rights defenders and humanitarian workers” are treated by the military and the police.
“Under martial law, those who try to help other people and rescue communities that are harassed by the military, paramilitary and the police are tagged as kidnappers and child abusers, legal and humanitarian acts are criminalized. Those who oppose the anti-people policies of the Duterte administration are tagged as terrorists,” said Castro.
Newly elected House Majority Floor Leader and Camarines Sur Rep. Rolando “Nonoy” Andaya Jr. (Facebook / MANILA BULLETIN)
“The concurrence will be expedited if the military and the police will renew their commitment to respect the constitutional rights of every individual in the territory covered by the declaration,” he added.
Maguindanao Rep. ZajidMangudadatu, vice chairman of the House Committee on Mindanao Affairs, called on the leadership of the House of Representatives to prepare for a joint session of Congress that will consider the proposed new extension of martial law.
Mangudadatu welcomed the recommendation of the Armed Forces of the Philippines for a renewal of the martial law application, saying he expects majority of Mindanao solons to back it.
“Martial law has proven to be the antidote to lawless violence and terrorism that made Mindanao one of the most dangerous places in the country. We are experiencing peace but there is still much work to do,” said Mangudadatu.
The Muslim solon said martial law has also been effective in dismantling private armies that he and his brother, Gov. Toto Mangudadatu, have battled in the past several years.
But Anak Mindanao Rep. AmihildaSangcopan slammed the AFP’s bid to seek another one-year extension of military rule in Mindanao.
Sangcopan said there is no valid reason to support the claim that the south is still under threat from terrorists and other armed groups.
She noted that placing Mindanao under martial law during an election year may endanger the Commission on Election’s responsibility of ensuring fairness.
Opposition Reps. Tom Villarin (Akbayan), Carlos Zarate (Bayan Muna), along with ACT Teachers Parytlist Rep. Antonio Tinio and France Castro, vowed to block efforts to extend martial law.
Villarin noted that the military claims of a “clamor” among the people and “terrorism” lurking in the area have become a new normal and habit-forming for the military takeover of civilian functions.
“It is straining too much the constitutional limits and raison d’etre of martial law. Since when has public clamor become a basis for imposing martial law? It’s a dangerous precedent and a militaristic mindset,” Villarin said.
On the other hand, Zarate said another move to extend martial law “is no longer surprising.”
“Actually, if we would leave it to the AFP, they would recommend martial (law) forever, not only for Mindanao but for the whole country. They would devise any pretext, even 'make believe' ones like their dismally flopped Red October canard, if only to justify martial rule,” said the progressive solon.
He added: “It is pitiable that Galvez and the military cannot even candidly admit that they are the ones actually ‘clamoring’ for martial law extension and not the majority of Mindanaoans.”
Meanwhile, Tinio and Castro warned that another year of martial law will mean “more human rights violations and harassment by the military, paramilitary and the police.”
“Martial law in Mindanao has been used to terrorize and harass innocent civilians, human rights defenders, humanitarian workers, lumad communities, environmental advocates and activists,” Tinio said.
Castro, who was recently arrested by the military in Davao del Norte on child abuse charges, said she has experienced “first-hand how human rights defenders and humanitarian workers” are treated by the military and the police.
“Under martial law, those who try to help other people and rescue communities that are harassed by the military, paramilitary and the police are tagged as kidnappers and child abusers, legal and humanitarian acts are criminalized. Those who oppose the anti-people policies of the Duterte administration are tagged as terrorists,” said Castro.