Palace clears issue on redeclaration of martial law in Mindanao

Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella on Thursday said that the proclamation of another martial law in Mindanao may only be upon military assessment and recommendation, clarifying that the initial claim of the chief presidential legal counsel was just “his opinion.”

“We referred to his opinion but that is his opinion. The president will follow due process,” Abella said of Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo’s earlier statement.

In a text message to reporters on Wednesday, Panelo said President Rodrigo Duterte may proclaim another martial law in Mindanao “if Congress does not extend on the 60th day upon initiative of the President.”

READ: Panelo: Duterte may declare another martial law in Mindanao if needed

But a redeclaration of the military rule in Mindanao, Abella said, should primarily depend on the assessment and recommendation of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine National Police, and other “vital stakeholders”—all upon the approval of the Congress.

“It will have to be a whole-government [and] a whole-system approach that would demand that his assessment will not be based on one or two facts, [but] on the recommendation of these stakeholders,” Abella said.

According to the 1987 Constitution, the Congress may determine the period of extension of martial law “should the invasion or rebellion persist and public safety requires it.”

Duterte had proclaimed martial law in Mindanao after Marawi City was put to a “critical condition” following the attack of the Maute group on May 23. The declaration will meet its 60-day limit on June 22. Winona S. Sadia, INQUIRER.net trainee / JPV