Solon wants nationwide martial law but Lorenzana bucks proposal

A party-list lawmaker proposed on Wednesday for the nationwide declaration of martial law because of the threat posed by communist rebels.

But Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana immediately assured that threats posed by the New People’s Army (NPA), the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) in Luzon and Visayas are “manageable” that it may not be sensible to also place the two regions under martial rule.

During the special joint session of Congress to tackle President Rodrigo Duterte’s request to extend martial law in Mindanao, Kusug Tausug party-list Rep. Shernee Tan noted the presence of NPA in Luzon and Visayas, and thus, urged that martial law be declared all over the country.

“Mr. Speaker, there are still NPA (New People’s Army), and they could also make a tax in Luzon and Visayas, therefore, as representative of Kusug Tausug party-list, I reiterate my stand that martial law should be extended not just in Mindanao but also in Luzon and in Visayas if it serves to the best interest of our nation,” Tan said.

Lorenzana, however, appeared to be cold about the suggestion.

He said: “I think the reason why the NPA in Mindanao are included is because of the intensity…kasi po malakas yung…45 percent of the NPA in the whole Philippines are in Mindanao. And they are creating havoc, especially in eastern Mindanao.”

“In Visayas and Luzon manageable po yung activities ng CPP-NPA diyan, kaya I don’t think that would be [advisable] to spread or to include Visayas and Luzon in the martial law,” he further said.     /kga