Palace: Lagman’s argument vs martial law is ‘faulty’

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañan Palace slammed on Sunday as “faulty” and “intellectually challenged” the claim of Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman that rebellion no longer existed in Mindanao because no one had been arrested or charged with rebellion.

This was the reaction of presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo after Lagman questioned the reason behind the need to extend the martial law in Mindanao.

According to Lagman, it is “only in the Philippines does rebellion exist without a single rebel.”

READ: Petition at SC vs martial law cites AFP intel report

“If no arrest has been made on the rebels then with more reason martial law in Mindanao should continue because the rebellion continues. That should be common sense,” Panelo said in a text message to reporters. “If substantial or all of the rebels have been arrested then the rebellion has been crushed. That’s another common sense. The argument of Lagman not only is faulty but intellectually challenged.”

Panelo also pointed out that Lagman, a member of the opposition at the House, used the same arguments in objecting to the proposal for the second extension of martial law.

Despite the heated argument over the issue, Panelo said the Malacañang is hopeful that the Supreme Court would release a decision in favor of them.

“We are confident that the continuing rebellion in Mindanao as well the demands of public safety requires the continued existence of martial law in that area, and the Supreme Court will upheld its continued imposition,” he said.

In December 2018, Congress approved to extend martial law in Mindanao for another year following the request of President Rodrigo Duterte.

A total of 12 senators voted to extend martial rule in Mindanao until Dec. 31, 2019. Five were against and one abstained.

In the House, 223 lawmakers voted to extend and 23 voted against it. Nobody abstained. /atm

READ: Congress approves 3rd martial law extension in Mindanao