2 Bohol solons back martial law

MABINI, Bohol, Philippines — Representatives Aris Aumentado and Arthur Yap expressed support for President Rodrigo Duterte’s declaration of martial law to crush lawlessness in Mindanao.

Aumentado said that the president, with all the information available to him, has the prerogative to do the declaration since this is lawfully provided for under the Constitution.

Questioning the president’s power to declare martial rule is not an option, Aumentado said, adding that the Constitution provides safeguards.

Aumentado urged everyone to be vigilant as the Congress is also doing its work that no violations or abuses are being perpetrated by government law enforcers.

Yap, meanwhile, called on his constituents to support the president whom he referred to as the “only manager running the affairs of the company.”

He said that “the economy is at stake,” and investors might not do business in the country if the chaos prevailing in Mindanao continues. “Let’s protect our achievements,” he said.

When asked if he favors the inclusion of the Visayas under martial rule, he said it depends if it’s justifiable.

He said President Duterte has already submitted to Congress the martial law report. This will tackled on Monday.

There’ll be “questions and answers” on the said report on Monday. The House of Representatives and the Senate will be turned into a committee as a whole to discuss the report. After, it will decide whether to revoke the declaration or extend it, he said.

Yap also expressed optimism about martial law declaration, saying then president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo also issued a similar proclamation sometime in 2008.

“Nakakatulong,” he said, considering there’s a need for a lockdown in the area so that the terror or chaos would not spread out in other places and control or the law enforcers catch the perpetrators.

Yap recently led the groundbreaking of P700 million dam for Cayacay-Mabini Small Reservoir Irrigation Project (SRIP) in Barangay Abaca of this town. (FREEMAN)