Gabriela slams martial law extension talk

The Gabriela Women’s Party has questioned the recent statement of Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Carlito Galvez that it is “still practical” to extend martial law in Mindanao into 2019 because of the coming midterm elections.

In a statement, the party-list group said citing practicality as the basis for a third extension of martial law would be “nothing but a desecration of the Constitution, which this administration is so fond of doing.”

The group pointed out that the Constitution did not provide for “practicality” as a ground for declaring martial law. Section 18, Article VII of the 1987 Constitution only provided for martial law to be an option in cases of invasion or rebellion.

“What the AFP really wants is their continued power-tripping and abuse of authority blanketed by Duterte’s martial law,” Gabriela said.

‘Vote-buying persisted’

It claimed that the military “failed to curtail vote-buying and election-related violence” during the May 2018 barangay elections.

“For elections to be successful in Mindanao, the region and its people should be free. Lift martial law, free Mindanao …” Gabriela said.

At a press conference on Wednesday, Galvez said he planned to visit Mindanao next week to see if it was possible to recommend the extension of martial law in the region.

Galvez said he was happy that Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, the Philippine National Police and even the religious sector were recommending extension.

“We had the most peaceful barangay elections because of martial law and even in Marawi [City], [it was the] first time that there is no failure of elections,” he said.

Sen. Risa Hontiveros said martial law had not stopped lawless violence in Mindanao.

“The continued injury and loss of life, this time of both civilians and police personnel, proves that a martial law-centric approach to curb violence and promote peace has failed to achieve its purpose,” she said. —WITH REPORTS FROM JEANNETTE I. ANDRADE, JULIE M. AURELIO AND LEILA B. SALAVERRIA