LP to Duterte: Lift martial law in Mindanao

A resident collects salvageable belongings from her destroyed house during a visit to the main battle area in Marawi on April 1, 2018. After fleeing for their lives nearly a year ago, residents of the battle-scarred Philippine city of Marawi made their first visit back on April 1 to dig through the rubble that was once their homes. (Photo TED ALJIBE / AFP)

On the eve of the first anniversary of the Marawi siege, the Liberal Party (LP) of the Philippines urged the Duterte administration to lift martial law in Mindanao.

“While the war is long over, the people of Marawi cannot start healing the wounds of the past with the continued implementation of martial law which allows warrantless arrest not only in Marawi but in the entire Mindanao,” the LP said in a statement on Tuesday.

The party said that there was “no rebellion in Mindanao that would warrant the extension of the military rule” as revealed by congressional hearings.

The Islamic State-inspired Maute Group led the sieged of Marawi, starting on May 23, 2017, prompting President Rodrigo Duterte to declare martial law over the whole of Mindanao.

Martial law was eventually extended until Dec. 31, 2018.

Citing the Constitution, LP maintained threats of rebellion did not qualify as grounds for military rule.

“Worse, rights group Amnesty International reported in November 2017 that human rights abuses were committed both by the Maute Group and some members of the military even under the implementation of martial law which government claims would restore law and order,” the party said. /atm