AFP balks at 5-year martial law proposal

MANILA, Philippines - The five-year martial law extension proposed by Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez might be too long, the military said yesterday, as it stressed that the decision to prolong the proclamation would depend on the situation on the ground.

Alvarez is planning to persuade Congress to extend martial law in Mindanao for five years to allow President Duterte to put an end to terrorism and rebellion in the south.

Duterte imposed military rule in Mindanao on May 23 after Islamic State-inspired Maute terrorists occupied Marawi City, torched several buildings and kidnapped dozens of civilians.

The 1987 Constitution permits the President to impose martial law for up to 60 days, but this can be extended by Congress if the invasion or rebellion persists and public safety requires it. Duterte’s martial law in Mindanao will lapse on July 23.

Armed Forces spokesman Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla told a press briefing at Malacañang that security forces are still assessing whether to recommend the extension of martial law, but he said five years may be too long.

“The Armed Forces, before it makes its recommendation to the commander-in-chief, must have enough basis, an intelligent basis, to make whatever recommendations there are for the extension or the lifting,” Padilla said.

Asked why he thinks five years is too long, Padilla replied: “I do not know the basis of our Speaker because martial law is a political decision.”

“The Department of National Defense or the armed forces will just come up with recommendation but the eventual decision will come from the political leadership which has a wider perspective and basis,” he added.

“It is possible that he (Alvarez) has information that we do not have. Our basis is the threats we are facing right now.”

Alvarez renewed his call for President Duterte to extend the 60-day martial law he declared in the entire region of Mindanao until June 2022, or until he finishes his fixed six-year term.

“Ako bilang taga-Mindanao sinusuportahan ko iyung (as a native of Mindanao I support) martial law even until up to 2022 para lang matapos itong gulong ito (to finally end the hostilities),” the Davao del Norte congressman said, expressing exasperation at how decades of conflict have adversely affected the region.

He clarified, however, that this is just his personal sentiment and not that of the entire 293-member House of Representatives.

“But I am not saying it is the official position of the House. What I’m saying is that is my position.”

Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, titular head of the independent opposition bloc, is wondering why senators and some of his House colleagues are talking about martial law extension when it has not expired yet.

“Why are some senators and representatives talking about extending martial law in Mindanao when the President has not even officially initiated such extension?” Lagman asked.

“Under the Constitution, while an extension needs the concurrence of the absolute majority of the members of the Congress voting in joint session, any such extension shall be upon the initiative of the President,” Lagman pointed out.

Personal opinion

Malacañang distanced itself from the proposal, noting that the Speaker was only relaying a “personal opinion.”

“Extending martial law is the decision of the President which (Duterte) said would rest on the assessment and the recommendation of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine National Police and other stakeholders of the Marawi situation,” Abella said in a statement.

Padilla said their parameters for assessing the condition in Mindanao are “operational in nature.” He said the military’s assessment on the security situation in Mindanao would be submitted to Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana “in a few days.”

“We are sticking to some mission profiles that we were provided at the very beginning of martial law. Most of the assessments we are making are dependent on whether we have attained the operational objectives,” the military spokesman said.

“The period is something that will be subjective. So that is part and parcel of the assessment that we are making. So that when before 60 days comes, we will have a very good basis for recommending whether to extend it or not to the President,” he added.

Duterte has hinted that he may not lift martial law in Mindanao before he delivers his second State of the Nation Address on July 24.

He said his decision on whether to seek the extension of martial law would depend on the recommendation of security agencies.

While he believes that a five-year martial law extension is too long, Padilla said the security threats are not limited to the conflict zone in Marawi.

“Let us not limit our thoughts to the places in Marawi. Remember, the structures that gave life to this rebellion are present not only in Marawi,” Padilla said.

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) yesterday asked if the declaration of martial law, more so its extension, would bring normalcy to war-torn Marawi City.

In a two-page statement on Marawi, terrorism and dialogue released by the CBCP at the end of its three-day 115th plenary assembly, the prelates said that they are for the end of war in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur.

The CBCP also appealed for the return of normalcy and peace in Marawi City, which is already on its 49th day of conflict as of yesterday.

“We, the Catholic bishops of the Philippines, wish to enjoin your assistance and collaboration. We all cry from our hearts: war in Marawi, never again! War in Marawi, no more! We therefore call for the return to normalcy and peace in Marawi and its environs as soon as possible,” the prelates said in a statement signed by outgoing CBCP president Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas.

“We wonder whether the continued state of martial law, much more its extension, will bring this about,” they added.

Some members of the Senate and the House of Representatives have reportedly expressed willingness to support the extension of martial law in Mindanao if Malacañang would ask for it. – With Delon Porcalla, Evelyn Macairan