House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez

HOUSE Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez wants martial law in Mindanao to stay until 2022 or until President Rodrigo Duterte steps down. He said the extension of martial law could give the President more time to quell the over 40 years of rebellion and armed conflict in Mindanao. “Being from Mindanao, I support the martial law even up to 2022 just to be able to solve the problem,” he added. He clarified, however, that this was his personal position and not the stand of the House of Representatives. “You should realize that rebellion in the area has beeen there for more than 40 years. Up to now, it continues to beset the country. We should put an end to it even just in Mindanao,” he said. He said terrorism is not the only problem in Mindanao because rebel groups have existed in Mindanao for so many years. “You know that the problem is not all about the ISIS [Islamic State]. There is the New People’s Army. They want to oust the government. That is rebellion, too,” he said. On May 23, the Office of the President released Proclamation No. 216, declaring a state of martial law and suspending the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus in Mindanao. The period of martial law is limited to 60 days by the Constitution, and can only be extended by Congress.In the Senate, the majority bloc said they see an easy approval of an extension of martial law in Mindanao should the President request it.“Yes, if the situation so warrants,” said Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III. Senator Francis Escudero expressed the same view, saying Congress would give its approval if the President and military officials can show that problem on Maute terror group still subsists and that martial law is still needed to address it. Senator JV Ejercito added that it will be easier to approve an extension of martial law since no abuses or human rights violations were reported during the period. Both Ejercito and Senator Juan Edgardo Angara said they wanted a new military briefing before extending martial law. Senator Panfilo Lacson said the extension will largely depend on how the security officials of the government will present their case to the Congress, notwithstanding the overwhelming number of allies the President has in both Houses. Senator Gregorio Honasan said they would decide based on “the most current comprehensive consolidated report from the martial law administrators, local governments, and coordinated agencies on the ground.” The leftist youth organization Anakbayan said the proposal to extend martial law to tackle the communist insurgency exposed “the facist bent” of those behind the plan. Earlier, Armed Forces spokesman Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla Jr. acknowledged that martial law was indeed directed against the communist New People’s Army. “Even without martial law, peasant leaders, indigenous people, activists, and ordinary people have been harassed and killed by trigger-happy military and policemen on the mere accusation of being NPA rebels. Martial law must be stopped now. Extending its duration and scope will only make things worse,” said Vencer Crisostomo, Anakbayan national chairman.