Congress can’t allow Sulu martial law without proof of rebellion or invasion – Lacson
MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang has to prove that there’s a threat of invasion or rebellion following last Monday’s bombings in Jolo before Congress can authorize President Rodrigo Duterte to declare martial law in Sulu, Sen. Panfilo Lacson said in an online interview on Wednesday.
‘The justification to declare martial law is invasion and rebellion. If the Jolo bombings can’t connected to those reasons, Congress cannot give authority to the President to declare it,” Lacson said in Filipino.
“That’s clear,” he added.
Following the twin explosions in Jolo, Philippine Army chief Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana said the situation called for martial law.
The bombings killed 14 people, including police officers and soldiers, and wounded 72 civilians.
Sobejana’s call for martial law was able to get the support of Philippine National Police chief Gen. Archie Gamboa.
Gamboa said declaring martial law in Sulu would allow state forces “more operational flexibility” to carry out operations against threats in the area.
The Palace, meanwhile, said the chief executive would consider this recommendation.
Anti-terror law
Lacson also pointed to the recently signed Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, which is aimed at strengthening the country’s anti-terrorism policies.
“If it stems from an act of terrorism, it would be unnecessary to declare martial law even if it is connected to invasion or rebellion,” Lacson said.
“But if there’s other evidence of a threat of invasion or rebellion, that’s a different situation. But [martial law is not needed] if the basic reason is terrorism, and it’s not clear if the bombings were in pursuit of rebellion or invasion — unlike the case in Marami where there were clear signs of rebellion,” he added.
But the recent bombings in Jolo have yet to show signs that it would escalate into invasion or rebellion, according to Lacson.
“It depends on the evidence that will come in. It’s hard to justify,” he said.
The senator also said that when the executive department was asking for the approval of Congress to extend martial law in Mindanao following the Marawi siege, the government’s security cluster told senators that the passage of a strengthened anti-terror measure would stop the need for martial law in the area.
Martial law was lifted at the end of last year in Mindanao, two-and-a-half years after it was imposed to fight Islamic State-inspired militants who laid siege to Marawi City.
“I asked them: What is the end state that you think would warrant the lifting or the non-extension of martial law? Their answer was clear: Once the anti-terror bill is approved, we will no longer recommend the extension or we will recommend to the President to lift martial law in Mindanao,” Lacson said.
He further stressed the need for Malacañang to justify the declaration of martial law in Sulu.
“They need to show Congress that there is invasion or rebellion before we allow the declaration of martial law,” Lacson said.
Asked if he would reject the President’s request to declare martial, Lacson said: “If there is no justification under the Constitution, why will we approve its declaration?
Further, he believes Malacañang will not ask for the approval of Congress to authorize the President to declare martial law if the Palace itself does not see a justified reason to do so.
“They know the provision under the Constitution. So their recommendation to consider the declaration of martial law is qualified [on the condition that] they can see evidence [that the bombings] were related to invasion or rebellion,” he added.
[atm]
