“I will be harsh”- Duterte declares martial law in Mindanao

Click here: Know your rights under Martial Law

What makes me happy.. I’m sad, but what makes me happy that I was able to have a last minute.. Hindi last minute but it was almost an hour, a last minute meeting with President Putin and I was able to communicate all the things that I wanted to tell him. Maganda naman ang ano, positive naman ang…

Mga kababayan natin.. Do not be too scared. I’m going home, I’m cutting my visit here to be with my countrymen and I will deal with the problem once I arrive. But let me just tell everybody that I have declared martial law for Mindanao. How long, well, how.. it would take a year to do, then, we’ll do it. If it’s over within a month, I’d be happy. Pero ang martial law is martial law ah. So kayong mga kababayan ko, you have experienced martial law. It could not be any different from what the President Marcos did. I’d be.. I’d be harsh. I was asked one time during the campaign doon sa La Salle, I was asked how I would deal with terrorism, I said I will be harsh. Sinabi ko nga sa lahat eh, do not force my hand into it. I have to do it to preserve the Republic of the Philippines and the Filipino people.

REACTIONS

Magdalo Rep. Gary Alejano

Placing the entire Mindanao under martial law is worrisome considering that Maute attacks are confined only in Lanao Sur province. Citing security problems, aside from Maute, in Western and Central Mindanao as the reasons why the declaration covers the entire Mindanao is something that we should consider deeply because those security issues have been there for the longest time. This may mean that Martial law could extend much longer than intended.

Nonetheless, I hope the government would be able to contain the Maute and other threats the soonest possible time and prevent any spill over to other parts of the country. Further, let us be vigilant that such declaration would not be abused in the process like what happened in the 70s. Let us pray for the safety of our soldiers and police and the community caught in between. Good luck to our troops!

Former Magdalo Rep. Ashley Acedillo

The safety of all civilians here is paramount, and I think this is what is foremost both for the AFP and PNP in addressing the situation in Marawi. These ISIS-wannabe Maute terrorists pose a real threat to various areas in Central Mindanao. Once and for all, they must be dealt with.

The declaration of Martial Law, however, is always a controversial issue in the Philippines, both because of our previous history with it and now, more so, because a Mindanaoan President has declared it for the entirety of Mindanao. It is very controversial now because this President is not particularly known for his democratic tendencies, but rather for his populist, quick-fix, strongman approaches.

The AFP has been the only guarantee of the country and the people against an unjustified declaration of Martial Law, or worse, a revolutionary government. In fact, the AFP enjoys broad trust and support from the people. How they proceed from hereon will be crucial for our democracy.

We must not allow our fear to take over and surrender vigilance to the false sense of security that a Martial Law declaration brings. Once we do so, we may soon realize that the cure is worse than the disease. By the time we find out that something is amiss, it is already too late. We cannot afford to be wrong again.