Groups vow 'rising resistance' as Duterte floats martial law anew
March 23, 2017 | 2:32pm
President Rodrigo Duterte urges Filipinos, in his speech during the meeting with the Filipino community at the Horizon Lake View Hotel in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar on March 19, 2017, to be more assertive of their rights and proactive in reporting corruption in government.
PCOO / Released
MANILA, Philippines — Human rights group Karapatan on Thursday criticized President Rodrigo Duterte for again mentioning martial law, saying doing so will not solve illegal drugs and terrorism.
Karapatan Secretary-General Cristina Palabay said in a statement that the human rights situation in the country will only worsen with the imposition of martial law, which Duterte again floated as a possibility to address security issues in parts of Mindanao.
"It is unacceptable that Duterte trifles with concepts and rhetoric that will result to open fascist rule," Palabay said.
In a speech on Wednesday evening, Duterte again mentioned martial law, a prickly issue for many Filipinos.
"Pag ako ang pumasok sa Mindanao ng martial law, I will see to it, tapos ang lahat," Duterte said in his speech at Ninoy Aquino International Airport after he returned from Thailand.
Duterte has been criticized in the past for contradictory statements on martial rule. In one of his speeches, he said that he does not want to impose martial law but also said in another speech, that no one will be able to stop him from declaring it.
The Palace has often clarified Duterte's statements on martial law and other issues and a Palace spokesman even criticized the press for what he said was misinterpreting what Duterte said.
Palabay said that Duterte should expect "strong resistance" from the Filipino people against martial law and any other fascist attacks.
Kabataan: Martial law will be met with rising resistance
Kabataan party-list, meanwhile, promised "rising resistance" if "Duterte keeps toying with the idea of martial law and increased fascist repression."
Kabataan party-list Rep. Sarah Elago said that solving the root causes of poverty and conflict, and not martial rule, will ensure security in Mindanao and the rest of the country.
"Martial law and all-out war has only caused harm and discord among our communities, and even right now, Duterte’s fascist offensives have only increased the casualties," she said.
"Illegal arrests and detention remain, just like during Marcos’ martial law days, and around 400 and counting political prisoners with trumped-up charges are still waiting to be released. And even up to now, justice is still wanting for the Martial Law victims and their families," Elago also said.
Earlier this month, Davao-based Konsyensya Dabaw also warned Duterte against declaring martial law in Mindanao, saying the situation there only got worse the last time it was declared across the country.
"Mindanao became more neglected and its development even more stunted as Marcos and his cronies sought to funnel government resources to areas that they controlled. We were the cash cow that got peanuts. The violent and frontier image that Marcos had cultivated to warrant the continuation of authoritarian rule made Mindanao unattractive to more sustainable economic activities," the group said.
The statement was made in response to a speech where Duterte asked local executives of Mindanao to help him curb terrorism and extremism or he would be forced to declare martial law.
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