Drilon: ‘Actual armed uprising’ should be present before granting ML extension

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon maintained on Monday his stance that the extension of martial law in Mindanao should be granted only if there is an “actual armed uprising.”

“Kailangan at sang-ayon sa Korte Suprema at sa Saligang-Batas, kailangan ay may actual armed uprising constituting rebellion or invasion, and when public safety requires it,” Drilon told reporters. “In an extension, the same standards must apply.”

Despite this, he said it would be better to hear first the advice of martial law administrators this Wednesday.

READ: Congress to hold joint session on martial law extension in Mindanao

Drilon, however, clarified that the sentiment of the residents is not a factor in extending the martial rule in the southern island.

“No, that is not a factor. Otherwise magkakaroon ka ng survey diyan every time if they want to; and that wanting to is not a basis for declaring martial law,” he said.

But for Senator Panfilo Lacson, the extension of martial law for another year is not really a problem.

“Sa akin walang problema kasi wala rin naman ngipin ang ML sa atin. If you look at the Constitution, wala naman. Naroon pa rin ang reglamentary period. Di ka pwede mag-aresto basta-basta. Protected din,” Lacson said.

“Sa akin lang kasi may ibang hinaharap ang AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) natin doon na ibang threat, particularly sa BIFF na may connection din naman sa rebellion, sa secessionist movement,” he added.

But like Drilon, Lacson would also like to hear the justification of the security forces before making his conclusions.

Also on Monday, President Rodrigo Duterte formally asked the Congress to extend martial law in Mindanao until the end of 2018, due to the continued threat of terrorism and rebellion in the region.

READ: Duterte formally asks Congress to extend martial law in Mindanao ‘til end of 2018