Armed Forces of the Philippines by Sgt. Matthew Troyer (https://www.dvidshub.net/image/721166) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Yesterday, May 23, 2017, President Rodrigo Duterte declared
martial law in Mindanao triggered by the attack of the Maute Group (an Islamist Group classified by Philippine Army as terrorist) in Marawi
City (according to news source, rappler.com). According to Section 18, Article
VII of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, the President, “in case of invasion or
rebellion, when the public safety is requires it” may place the country under
martial law.
This brings us to the assessment that the declaration of
martial in Mindanao is constitutional or lawful. My opinion on this is that as
long as the declaration will help solve the terror problems in Mindanao; then
declare it, but there should be a time frame. Within two (2) months and the
problem is not resolve, the government should think of new solutions to address
the problem.
Many Filipinos have been abused by the misused martial law
in the past years of 1986, by now; the people already knew how it feels to be
deprived of liberty. Declaring martial, in my opinion, is good as long as it
serves the benefit of the society and is time bound; you cannot declare martial
law forever; it should be used to resolved heinous problems. Martial law should not be used to
concentrate power in the hands of the few that will result to deterioration of
the power of the society, power of the people, power of the Filipinos.
It is too early to conclude what this recent martial law
declaration will bring, but it is my hope (and maybe the hope of others as
well) that this will bring peace to Mindanao and the whole country.
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