‘Martial law extension may not be needed’

Extending martial law in Mindanao beyond this year may not be needed if Congress passes amendments to Republic Act No. 9372, or the Human Security Act (HSA) of 2007.

“We are looking at some developments that could give some guidance to us. If the Human Security Act as amended will be passed, then we may not need to ask for any extension of martial law, we may not need this kind of martial law,” said National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon.

It may be recalled that President Duterte placed Mindanao under martial law following the 2017 Marawi City siege. This has been extended thrice and is set to lapse by the end of the year.

Esperon said they were still waiting for “some developments that could give guidance,” such as proposed amendments to the HSA.

Senate Bill No. 1083, sponsored by Sen. Panfilo Lacson, seeks to prolong the detention of suspected terrorists without an arrest warrant from three days to 14 days.

The measure also seeks to allow authorities to conduct 60-day surveillance on suspected terrorists, which may be extended to 60 days. However, the police and military must secure a judicial authorization from the Court of Appeals to do so.

Esperon admitted that the security sector considered the current three-day detention period to be a limitation and the P500,000 fine a day for wrongful arrest.

“So it’s so unfriendly, so it is a disincentive to law enforcement,” he said, adding: “We could ask for that extension, or if we have the amended HSA, then that is a better tool for us.”