Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque (Photo by JOAN BONDOC / Philippine Daily Inquirer)
Malacañang is confident the government can defend the legality of the extension of martial law in Mindanao before the Supreme Court.
“Well, we can certainly defend martial law as it has been reviewed already by both Houses of Congress, and both Houses of Congress, voting jointly, concluded that there is both factual and legal basis,” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in a Palace briefing on Monday.
“Two branches of the government have already ruled that martial law is constitutional and we’re confident that the Philippine government, the executive, can defend this position in the Supreme Court as well,” he added.
Human rights advocates and militant groups have questioned before the high court the legality of the extension of martial law in Mindanao.
Roque said there had been no “documented cases of persecution against anyone” since martial rule was implemented in Mindanao.
Voting 240-27 with no abstention during a special joint session, Congress authorized the extension of martial rule in Mindanao for the second time.
READ: Senate, House allow 1-year martial law extension in Mindanao
Duterte declared martial law in the whole of Mindanao on May 23 after Islamic State-inspired Maute terrorist group attacked Marawi City in an attempt to establish a caliphate there.
READ: Duterte declares martial law in South
Almost two months later, Congress allowed Duterte’s request to extend martial rule in the entire Mindanao region until Dec. 31, 2017. /atm