Top DND, AFP officials ready to face court

PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

The top defense and military officials are prepared to explain to the Supreme Court why President Duterte declared martial law, the spokesperson for the Armed Forces of the Philippines said on Wednesday.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Eduardo Año are on standby to appear before the high tribunal, which is hearing oral arguments on several petitions questioning the constitutionality of Mr. Duterte’s May 23 proclamation responding to the Islamic State-allied Maute group’s rampage in Marawi City, Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla, the AFP spokesperson, told reporters.

“I definitely can tell you that they’re prepared to answer every question the justices make. The government is one in this. Whatever is required, we will provide,” Padilla said.

“We support whatever process is currently ongoing and if we need to be resource persons as well … we will be there,” he said.

Magistrates at the start of the court hearing on Tuesday raised the question of whether the declaration should be limited to Marawi, noting that other places in Mindanao remained peaceful.

Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio pointed out that the 1987 Constitution allows the imposition of martial law only in places where there is actual rebellion.

Padilla declined to comment on Carpio’s assertion, which was also shared by Associate Justice Marvic Leonen.

“If you will allow, I will not answer those because those are part of the arguments that will be done in the Supreme Court. Let’s allow our leaders to answer that,” Padilla said.