Martial Law in Mindanao, for now

President Duterte has finally made good his threat, or his wish, to declare martial law. The chief executive declared martial law in Mindanao, after the local terrorist Maute Group launched attacks in Marawi City last Tuesday. Duterte had to cut short his official visit to Russia because of the crisis. As of this writing, clashes between the military and the terrorists continue despite the military claiming to have control of the situation. The fighting has so far left casualties on both sides, with thirteen terrorists reported to have been killed. Not enough, if you ask me. The fighting has forced residents to flee the city towards nearby towns.

Duterte has been floating the idea of declaring martial law since last year, with many groups criticizing him for even talking about it, considering what the country went through in fourteen years of martial law under Marcos. With this declaration, he still has to justify it in Congress, which is not really a problem. Duterte’s staunch allies control Congress. It will be justified. While there are those agreeing to the declaration, some are still wary of the possible abuses that may happen under martial law, no matter who is in the Palace. In fact, Duterte has recently described the 1972 martial law declaration as “very good”, which may raise red flags to those who suffered. Is history now repeating itself?

With martial law in Mindanao in place, Duterte is mulling over extending it to the Visayas, or even the whole country. But is this necessary? The Constitution allows the declaration of martial law in times of invasion or rebellion. Declaring it in Mindanao may be easily justified, but the whole country? Is it an indication that the AFP cannot contain this group that it has to effect control over the whole country? That rebellion or invasion will likely occur in other parts of the country?

Lawmakers are asking how a small group like the Maute Group could have slipped into Marawi City without the military noticing. Calling it a failure of intelligence, some senators want to know where all that billions in AFP intel fund is actually going or how it is being used, if there is a failure of the same. But the problem in Mindanao has always been the support that groups like Maute have been getting from the local communities. They may have been able to slip into Marawi City because local communities did not report them. Still, the AFP should be more than capable of crushing this group, even as reports have it that Abu Sayyaf members have joined the fight.

Considering the dark history that the country went through, regardless of what the president thinks, we should all be vigilant in making sure the same abuses do not happen this time around. The AFP has assured that it will neither condone nor tolerate abuses, especially against human rights, something this administration is not perceived to be concerned with. For those adamant that the president would never declare martial law, well…