House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez. (INQUIRER.net / JULLIANE LOVE DE JESUS)
House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez taunted those opposing the one-year extension of martial law in Mindanao, saying they should visit Mindanao first before criticizing President Rodrigo Duterte’s request.
Asked to react on claims that the proposed extension of military rule has no legal and constitutional basis, Alvarez, in a press conference, said: “Eh ‘di pumunta sila doon (sa) Mindanao.”
Some senators denounced Duterte’s recommendation to extend the military rule and suspension of writ of habeas corpus in Mindanao for another year. Senate minority leader Franklin Drilon said this has “no factual and legal basis and is patently unconstitutional.”
The House leader also made another sarcastic remark as he answered critics saying that the government security forces are capable enough to contain terrorism in the region without extending martial law.
“Eh mag-military muna at mag-pulis muna sila para masabi nila ‘yon,” Alvarez said.
“Iba kasi ang pananaw ng civilian, at sa pananaw ng military at pulis. Kaya ang Presidente nakikinig sa military at pulis dahil mas alam nila ‘yung sitwasyon. Eh tayo meron-meron lang sa nakikita natin eh,” he said.
On Wednesday morning, members of the House of Representatives and the Senate would hold a joint session to discuss Mr. Duterte’s request to extend martial law in Mindanao for another year – from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2018.
Alvarez said he does not see any basis to reject President Duterte’s request.
President Duterte, in a five-page letter to the Congress, cited the reasons behind the request, including the threats posed by different terror groups. /kga