 |
MANILA, Philippines - President Duterte yesterday vowed to be the first to seek the lifting of martial law in Mindanao, which he imposed on May 23, if the situation in terrorist-infested areas stabilizes.
The Chief Executive, however, said he is not discounting the possibility of extending martial law in the south – a move that he hoped would be understood by Congress.
During the oath taking of new appointees and officials of local government groups, Duterte said he wanted to hurry up the implementation of martial law as the number of fatalities keeps increasing every day.
“The earlier we attain the equanimity of the community, the stability, I’d be the first to clamor for the lifting of martial law,” the President said. “But for as long as the military says, ‘Sir, hindi pa talaga kaya (we still cannot do it),’ and it’s beyond 60 days, Congress must understand that I may need more time.”
Under the 1987 Constitution, martial law in the Philippines can only last up to 60 days, but can be extended by a majority in Congress “if the invasion or rebellion shall persist and public safety requires it.”
General Order No. 1
Meanwhile, Malacañang released yesterday a copy of General Order No. 1 detailing the implementing guidelines for the declaration of martial law in Mindanao, including the rules in the coverage of the media, under Section 6, in the armed conflict in Marawi City.
“The role of the media is vital in ensuring the timely dissemination of true and correct information to the public. Media practitioners are therefore requested to exercise prudence in the performance of their duties so as not to compromise the security and safety of the Armed Forces and law enforcers personnel and enable them to effectively discharge their duties and functions under the Order,” it read.
The Palace also put a provision that assures the public that the state of martial law does not suspend the operation of the Constitution, nor supplant the function of the civil courts or legislative assemblies, nor authorize the conferment of jurisdiction on military courts and agencies over civilians where civil courts are able to function.
Duterte put to task the Commission on Human Rights to “zealously exercise its mandate under the 1987 Constitution, and to aid the Executive in ensuring the continued protection of the constitutional and human rights of all citizens.”
The President signed the two-page order on May 30 in support of Proclamation No. 216, declaring martial law in Mindanao and suspending the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus for a period not exceeding 60 days.
Arrest order issued
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, in his capacity as martial law administrator, has issued an arrest order against 125 subjects, whose names are mostly aliases, who are allegedly members of the Maute and Abu Sayyaf groups and their suspected supporters involved in the Marawi attack.
The four-page order, which the first arrest order issued under the implementation of martial law and suspension of writ of habeas corpus in Mindanao, was made public by Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II in a press conference at the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Wednesday evening.
It was directed to the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police and NBI for implementation.
The order specifically stated that the subjects who have been “identified as members/supporters/spies/couriers” of the terror groups will be investigated on charges of rebellion under Article 134 of the Revised Penal Code.
Lookout bulletin
Meanwhile, the DOJ yesterday issued a lookout bulletin against the 125 individuals listed on the arrest warrant.
“We are studying if we can issue an order to the effect of a hold departure order, since there is already an arrest warrant against these individuals,” Aguirre explained in an ambush interview, adding that verification is being made whether foreign nationals are included in the list.
Also yesterday, Aguirre designated 25 prosecutors – five panels with five members each – to handle the criminal cases expected to be filed against the terrorists and their supporters.
NBI clears 18
In other developments, the NBI has cleared 18 persons who were reportedly included in those ordered arrested by martial law implementers.
“Wala sa kanila doon ang terorista (The terrorists are not among them),” NBI spokesman Ferdinand Lavin told reporters yesterday.
The NBI has undertaken validation, verification, profiling and complete background check on the 18 Muslim-Filipino personalities who voluntarily presented themselves to the NBI headquarters in Manila Wednesday afternoon. So far, the results have indicated they have no apparent criminal record.
“We also recommended that they no longer undergo medical examination,” Lavin added.
‘Perfectly understandable’
Meanwhile, Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez said the general public’s misgivings about martial law are perfectly understandable, but reassured them that the Philippines is now in a post-Marcos era where digital has become daily fare among more than 100 million Filipinos.
Duterte’s ally also made categorical assurances that Congress – particularly the House of Representatives – will never allow abuses by security forces and will revoke the 60-day martial law in Mindanao region if necessary.
“We give the public our assurance that we are keeping a watchful eye upon the unfolding of events and will step in as a counterbalance should and when the need arises,” he told key security and Cabinet officials when they convened as a Committee of the Whole Wednesday.
Marawi courts reopen
Courts in Marawi City, which were closed last week following the attacks by the Maute group, have reopened following contingency measures implemented by the Supreme Court (SC), pursuant to
Article VII, Section 18 of the 1987 Constitution.
In a memorandum issued by Court Administrator Jose Midas Marquez last Wednesday, the SC allowed Marawi City trial courts to temporarily transfer to Iligan City and specifically directed Marawi regional trial court executive Judge Wenida Papandayan to “conduct the courts’ usual business as far as practicable, including acting on urgent matters.”
Marquez said instructions have been given to Iligan RTC executive Judge Anisah Umpa about the matter.
Visit and follow our website: SOCIAL NEWS PH
© SOCIAL NEWS PH
Loading...
0 comments
Post a Comment