NEVER AGAIN?
As provided in Sec. 18, Art VII of the National Constitution, “The President … may call out such armed forces to prevent or suppress lawless violence, invasion or rebellion. In case of invasion or rebellion, when the public safety requires it, he may, for a period not exceeding sixty days, suspend the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus or place the Philippines or any part thereof under martial law….” We can therefore presume that there is a pandemonium happening that the state needs to resolve immediately. And what are those?
1. The Maute ISIS
2. The CPP-NPA
3. The Drug Proliferation
4. Others that threatens the National Security.
The Maute-ISIS:
Started during 2006 in Butig, Lanao del Sur, this militant group recruited thousands of fighters ready to give their lives to their ideology.
So why is there a need for an extended Martial Law?
The defeated militants according to government intelligence units are planning to avenge their fallen brethren during the Marawi Clash. A thing which the Filipino people should be alarmed. Moreover the terrorist group spilled to other province as well not only in Lanao del Sur.
Lanao del Norte 1st District Congressman Mohamad Khalid Dimaporo said "Sa lalawigan namin, when we hear martial law, nalipay kami, we feel safe, we feel secure because we trust our Armed Forces of the Philippines wholeheartedly." (In our province when we hear martial law, we are happy, we feel secure because we trust our Armed Forces of the Philippines wholeheartedly.) The people of Lanao del Norte through their representative expresses their support to the planned extension of Martial Law.
It is by way of Martial Law that they can feel that the state can protect them. Terrorism cannot be solved by peace talks and negotiations. They do not adhere to a certain principles. All they knew is to struck terror to the hearts of the people.
The CPP-NPA:
They are the longest communist insurgency in Asia. NPA is the armed wing of the Communist Party that later soon left the party and aimed at creating a new national democratic state through an armed guerilla warfare.
Proclamation 374 branded these communist insurgents as Terrorist. A bold move of the Philippine Republic after a long peace talks negotiation. So why again is there a need for another 1 year Martial Law?
As stated in Art. VII Sec 18 Rebellion and when public safety needs it Martial Law can be declared. It is understandable the state needs to declare martial law because of the insurgencies, terrorism and violence threatening public safety. Moreover, it was the NPA who did not honor the ceasefire agreement to give way to the peace talks that resulted to the branding of their organization as a terrorist group.
It may be hard for others to understand why only Mindanao should be under Martial law when in fact the CPP-NPA is all over the country. Most of the entire largest NPA rebel stronghold is in the CARAGA region. MAUTE-ISIS and BIFF is in the ARMM while the CPP-NPA is in the CARAGA.
The Mindanao Island has long been under war and turmoil for almost 50 years of communist insurgency. 50 years of intimidation, extortion, and harassment. It is only up to now that the NPA organization has been branded a terrorist group. And by meaning of terrorist the state itself needs to defend itself.
The proliferation of drugs and the territorial disputes are other factors which the state needs to resolve immediately. It affects the lives of every Filipinos. And by way of Martial Law the state has now the power to curbed these problems.
We all know Martial Law is a sensitive issue. The justification for the extension of Martial Law will never suffice to convince the opposition. Martial Law is the last resort of the state when the Republic is threatened.
image sources:
Philstar.com
Mindanew.com
Bomboradyo.com
news.abs-cbn.com