Sen. Panfilo Lacson. PRIB PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Authorities are just fooling terrorists with the continued imposition of “toothless” martial law in Mindanao, Senator Panfilo Lacson said in jest on Tuesday.
While presiding over a joint hearing on various bills, seeking to amend the Human Security Act, Lacson was reminded of the military’s commitment to lift martial law in Mindanao.
The entire Mindanao has been placed under martial law since terrorists seiged Marawi City in 2017.
READ: Two years after terrorists’ siege, Marawi is still down and out
“Di ba you made that commitment last year and this is much, much, much, much stronger than the martial law that you’re using now, which of course, we all know is a toothless martial law,” Lacson referring to the bills being discussed in the hearing.
“Panakot lang naman kayo dun sa Mindanao. Psywar lang. Wala naman din naman kayong magawa…,” he added, pointing out the constitutional rights still being observed in the region.
“Panakot lang ang ginagawa n’yo dun. Niloloko n’yo lang yung mga terrorist dun…” Lacson said.
In an interview with reporters later, the senator explained that the martial law in Mindanao is different from the martial law during the time of the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos where the Constitution was suspended.
“But this martial law that we are having now is actually a toothless martial law,” Lacson said, adding that: “Inamin naman nila, pang-psywar lang talaga kung tutuusin.”
This is why the senator was puzzled that some people are against the implementation of martial law in Mindanao.
“After all, martial law now under the 1987 Constitution is wala. It’s the same as no martial law,” Lacson said.
National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. earlier said he would recommend another extension of martial law in Mindanao, which is set to expire on December 31, 2019.
Esperon, a former Armed Forces chief of staff, wants martial law extended for another year, citing sustained rebellion in the south. /jpv
READ: One more year of martial law in Mindanao pushed