It was a chaotic, tumultuous Tuesday for the residents of Marawi in Mindanao, as a group of armed rebels, claiming to be part of ISIS (who have now been identified as Maute rebels) descended upon five barangays in the region. They exchanged gunfire with the military, barricaded streets, and razed schools and churches, which caused blackouts and spread terror among civilians. The clash left 3 dead and 12 injured, with countless residents fleeing the area, reports Sun Star.
In response, President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to contain the situation followed by a declaration of Martial Law over the whole island of Mindanao.
Here’s what we know about it so far.
1. It will last for a period of 60 days, but could take up to a year according to President Duterte
President Duterte, who is currently on his way back home after cutting short his state visit to Russia, declared martial law over the 27 provinces of the island of Mindanao at 10 p.m. on May 23, 2017. The purpose of this, according to Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella is to “suppress lawless violence and rebellion and for public safety” and it will be in effect until June 23, 2017, in accordance with Article VII Section 18, which states that martial law will last no longer than 60 days.
This time around, however, President Duterte is willing to implement Martial Law for however long it takes. According to a report by ABS-CBN news, Martial Law in Mindanao will persist, even if it takes more than a month up to a year to restore peace to the region.”Let me just tell everybody that I have declared martial law for Mindanao. How long? Well, if it will take a year to do it, we’ll do it. If it’s over within a month, I will be happy. Pero ang martial law is martial law ha. So kayong mga kababayan ko, you have experienced martial law it will not be any different from what the President Marcos did. I’ll be harsh.”
2. He likens Marawi Martial Law to that of the time of Marcos
“I will be harsh,” vowed the President, prompting various groups to urge the government to respect human rights, making sure the powers and provisions of Martial Law will not be abused.
3. Marawi Mayor has pleaded to uphold the rights of ‘innocent civilians’
Marawi City Mayor Majul Usman Gandamra called upon the government to respect the rights of civilians caught in the clash.
“Ang deklarasyon ng martial law ay napapanahon….Ang hinihingi lang natin sa gobyerno ay sana ma-uphold, marespeto natin ang human rights ng innocent civilians,” he
told ANC in a phone interview, clarifying that, of the 96 barangays of Marawi, only five were directly affected by the attack.
4. Presidential spokesperson Abella assures the public that the situation is under control
“[President Duterte] has full confidence in the AFP and PNP’s management of the situation,”
Abella told Rappler, emphasizing that the President believes Martial Law is the best course of action to ensure the safety of those in Marawi and surrounding regions.
The president himself reassured the public not to fear. “Mga kababayan, do not be too scared,” he told Presidential Communications Assistant Secretary in
a Facebook live interview, “I am going home. I am cutting my visit here to be with my countrymen and I will deal with the problem once I arrive.”
5. The last declaration of Martial Law in Mindanao was during former President Gloria Arroyo’s term
According to the Philippine News Agency, former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo declared Martial Law on December 4, 2009 following the gruesome Maguindanao Massacre. The declaration was lifted just eight days later.
6. Congress can revoke the declaration if they don’t agree with it
According to Senator Francis Pangilinan, Congress has a constitutional right to revoke the proclamation by “voting jointly, by a vote of at least a majority of all its members in regular or special session” within 48 hours after it is declared. To further support this, he cited Article VII Section 18, which states that martial law can be declared only in the “case of invasion or rebellion, when the public safety requires it.”
How do you feel about the declaration of Martial Law in Mindanao? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.
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