Martial Law, essential to national defense
Reflecting on the grave implications of Martial Law in Mindanao reminds us of Sun Tzu who wrote "The Art of War" in the sixth century. Its opening paragraph reads: "The art of war is of vital importance to the State. It is a matter of life and death, a road either to safety or to ruin. Hence, it is a subject of inquiry which can on no account be neglected''. The Filipinos today who are enjoying safety, comfort, security of their wealth, their influence, and their money in Luzon and in the Visayas have no right to make judgments about Mindanao and about the president's decision to place the islands of Mindanao under Martial Law. The ivory tower critics are mostly clueless about the realities of ISIS and the far-reaching implications of global terrorism.
Many of the usual detractors know nothing of the facts and the realities on the ground. They better shut their mouth or go to Marawi now and see for themselves the whole truth. There is a shooting war. ISIS, through the Maute group, has invaded our country. There is rebellion raging. People are being killed, villages are being burned. Communities are being terrorized. And, in the face of all the ''slings and arrows of outrageous fortunes'' the critics expect the president to do nothing. The congenital oppositionists and obstructionists expect him to fold his hands while Mindanao is burning. These people have no responsibility. The president, as commander-in-chief, has a sworn duty to protect, defend, and preserve the security of the state, and the safety and welfare of the people.
Martial Law is a legal weapon of self-defense. It is not an evil thing, just because Marcos and his cohorts and cronies abused it. It is not Martial Law ''per se'' that is bad. It is the misuse, abuse, and the malpractices of the military. If Martial Law is bad, then why does the present Constitution (ordained by Filipinos under President Corazon Aquino) allow it to be vested as one of the powers of the presidency? Martial Law was allowed under the 1935 Constitution, practically with no restraint. Martial Law was allowed under the 1973 Constitution, also without restraint. Today, Martial Law under the 1986 Charter is subject to too many restraints. And still, the activists, the leftist ideologues, the bourgeoisie, the oligarchs, and the reactionaries are howling.
Duterte is fighting a rebellion. The nation is being attacked. There is an unlawful aggression. There is lack of sufficient provocation on the part of the State. And Martial Law is a reasonable means to repel the aggression. Foreign forces using local converts have invaded our national territory. Instead of undermining the credibility of Duterte, it behooves all Filipinos, who love our country and who are deeply concerned with the welfare of our people, to support the commander-in-chief. If some do not want to help suppress the rebellion, they should at least not give aid and comfort to the enemies of the state. Keeping their mouth shut is their best gift to the beleaguered nation. They might as well read "The Art of War" to better appreciate what the president is doing. Unity against terrorism is what matters most.
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