Lawmakers want clarification of Duterte declaration

WHILE they do not expect the decree to inhibit civil rights, several senators on Saturday sought clarification on President Duterte’s declaration of a state of lawlessness over the entire country in the wake of the deadly bombing on Friday night in Davao City.

Senate Minority Leader Ralph Recto said Malacañang should issue a presidential proclamation that would set in black-and-white the parameters of the declaration, promptly informing the nation of its “metes and bounds.”

“It will guide the authorities on the strict parameters to be followed in issuing and implementing orders… By detailing the elements of the declaration, confusion is avoided, orders are made concise, and the so-called fog of war is avoided,” he said.

Senate President Pro-Tempore Franklin Drilon said as much.  While he “defers to the judgment of the President who has access to intelligence information,” Drilon said in a statement that  Duterte “must be prudent in such declaration because of its effect on our economy, investment and business climate, especially our tourism.”

Focus on threats

“I am hopeful that the declaration will only focus to address the threats the nation faces right now. We should, however, remain vigilant and urge the administration to keep the people informed,” said Sen. Grace Poe.

The tough-talking President’s declaration stirred concerns, especially on social media, that the declaration might pave the way for a creeping reimposition of martial rule, a totalitarian regime that  traumatized the country three decades ago.

‘Deep concerns’

Sen. Risa Hontiveros, a staunch human rights advocate,  expressed “deep concerns” over the declaration, saying it could futher sow fear.  “I urge the Duterte government to continue to operate within the bounds of the law and respect the civil liberties of the people. We cannot fight lawless elements by depriving our people their right to the rule of law,” she said in a statement.

For Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, a member of the Senate minority and former soldier, said the declaration should not have been made at all. “Saturday’s terrorist attack in Davao is a grim reminder that the illegal drug problem is not the biggest and definitely not the only national security threat to our country. Having said that, the declaration of a state of lawlessness is not warranted at this time. What is needed is less big talking and more serious intel work,” he said.

Former Senate President Aquilino “Nene” Pimentel Jr. said the Palace should take the time to explain the parameters of the declaration.  “It’s not the form that bothers me. It’s the substance.  [T]he Office of the President or its spokesperson should take time to [take] questions from the media,” he said.

Rights advocates similarly expressed concern about possible infringement on human rights or the imposition of martial rule.

“Law enforcement officials, in the pursuit of their objectives, must bear in mind that the rights of citizens are not suspended and must continue to be respected,” Commission on Human Rights (CHR) chair Jose Luis Martin Gascon said.

Proactive

Vice President Leni Robredo called for “calm and collective action in bringing about justice, peace and order to our country.”

Samar Rep. Edgar Sarmiento said the Davao attacks should serve as a wake-up call for Filipinos to be more proactive in helping authorities in their campaign against crime and terrorism.

The bombing was clearly meant “to taunt and embarrass” President Duterte, said Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel, who said the attack by the Abu Sayyaf Group, the likely perpetrators, was in retaliation for the President’s recent public statements against them and his avowal to wipe them out.

“But the Commander in Chief is single-minded, and he is absolutely right. There is only one strategy against the Abu Sayyaf and that is to tear them down and wipe them out once and for all,” said Pimentel, a member of the House committee on national defense and security.

 ‘Horrific act of terror’

The lawmaker said he also suspected that the Davao attack was “partly meant to relieve some of the immense heat on ASG (Abu Sayyaf Group) elements that are now on the run” in the midst of an ongoing military offensive in Sulu and Basilan.

The Makati Business Club described the bombing as both a “horrific act of terror” and an “act of cowardice”that “has no place in any society.”

The business group expressed its condolences and hope for healing among the families and victims of the “senseless act,” and called on the government to bring the perpetrators to justice and restore peace and order “in a swift, but humane manner.”

Majority Leader Rodolfo Fariñas  said that House leaders will ask members of Congress to rally behind Duterte in his declaration of a state of lawless violence.

“We should always back the President  in his fight against lawlessness and terrorism,” said Fariñas.

Sabotage

Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate, a member of the House majority,  condemned the bomb blast and similarly expressed full support for Duterte’s actions.

“The Davao blast incident might be used by undemocratic elements to foment more chaos and sabotage the peace initiatives of the Duterte administration and the revolutionary groups,” said Zarate, referring to the ongoing peace talks between the government and the National Democratic Front.

But a Catholic priest cautioned against the use of Duterte’s declaration of a state of lawlessness “to trample on the rights of Filipinos.”

“To allay the fears and concerns of the public, I think it would be better for the government to clarify the scope and extent of its actions,” Fr. Jerome Secillano said.

‘Prayerful communion’

Akbayan Rep. Tom Villarin also opposed President Duterte’s declaration of a state of lawlessness, saying that what we need “is a more thorough intelligence work and effective police and military operations against the Abu Sayyaf.”

The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said they were in a “prayerful communion” with Davao Archbishop Romulo Valles and all Davaoenos over the terrorist attack.

In a statement, CBCP President and Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas said he will include the victims of the Davao City blast in their novena of prayers in his archdiocese.

For his part, Valles called on Davaoenos to “stand together to keep our community a home of peace and love.”  With reports from DJ Yap, Tarra Quismundo, Gil Cabacungan, Jeannette I. Andrade, and Julie M. Aurelio/rga