A MEMBER of the majority coalition in the Senate warned about the possible nationwide declaration of martial law in the future, as Congress tackles Wednesday President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s request for a second extension of martial law in Mindanao.

Mr. Duterte declared martial law in Mindanao on May 23, when Maute terrorists laid siege on the Mindanao city of Marawi. On July 22, the eve of martial law’s 60-day deadline, Congress extended martial law until the end of this year. Mr. Duterte has written Congress this week seeking a new extension to one year.

On Tuesday, Congress was briefed by defense officials as well as officials of the executive branch on the necessity of a new extension.

For his part, Senator Panfilo M. Lacson of the majority coalition in the Senate warned about the “danger” of the basis of martial law’s new extension being the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and its armed wing, the New People’s Army (NPA).

Mr. Lacson noted that the CPP-NPA was not part of the original basis (“di kasama sa original”) of Mr. Duterte’s May 23 declaration of martial law in Mindanao.

“So kung kailangan ng ML (martial law), baka mas appropriate pa ang panibagong declaration kesa sa extension, kasi kailangan ang conditions na nagpe-prevail pareho sa original reasons or conditions noong nag-declare, noong nag-proclaim. Eh di nabanggit ang NPA noon,” the senator noted. (So if martial law is needed, a new declaration might be more appropriate rather than an extension, because the original conditions should prevail. But the NPA wasn’t mentioned before.)

With the communist rebels now being cited as a basis, “Now what will prevent the government or administration from declaring ML (martial law) in other areas outside of Mindanao?” Mr. Lacson asked.

He added: “Halimbawa, may nagbarilang NPA at military sa Nasugbu, Batangas. Para maging consistent ang Kongreso, papayagan namin mag-ML sa Nasugbu o sa Sorsogon, kung saan nagkakaroon ng clashes kung ’yan ang justification?” (For example, there was an encounter between the NPA and the military in Nasugbu, Batangas. Because Congress should be consistent, should we allow martial law in Nasugbu or in Sorsogon, where there are clashes, if that’s the justification?)

That said, Mr. Lacson said he was still “supportive, if only to give the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) and PNP (Philippine National Police) the psychological boost.”

“Sabi nila kailangan sa ground kasi mga sundalo namin medyo mataas ang morale at feeling nila nariyan ang authority nila,” the senator also said. (They say this boosts morale among soldiers on the ground, and they feel they have the authority.)

For his part, Senate Minority Leader Franklin M. Drilon said in a press conference with his Liberal Party allies on Tuesday: “There’s no factual basis and that the factual conclusion was validated in today’s briefing, where the security forces said that the threat is continuing, that martial law has psychological impact in the performance of their duty. Unfortunately, these are not sufficient basis under the Constitution to extend martial law.”

Section 18, Article VII of the Constitution, regarding martial law, says in part that, “Upon the initiative of the President, the Congress may, in the same manner, extend such proclamation or suspension for a period to be determined by the Congress, if the invasion or rebellion shall persist and public safety requires it.”Mr. Drilon nevertheless acknowledged that approval of the new extension is a “given” and that the ruling PDP-Laban “ay susuporta kay Pangulong Duterte (will support President Duterte).”Senate President Aquilino Martin L. Pimentel III, for his part, said: “As long as there is rebellion in Mindanao, then martial law is justified. Di naman niya sinabing (There’s no mention that) the rebellion must be maintained by the same rebels.”

The Senate leader expects the new extension being sought to be approved by Congress. “In the Senate, it will also prevail, even if you deduct or subtract the senators, majority na rin ’yung magsasang-ayon (will approve),” he said in part.

For his part, House Speaker Pantaleon D. Alvarez said in his press briefing on Tuesday: “Para sa akin na taga-Mindanao (For someone like me who’s from Mindanao, I don’t see any reason why, na hindi pagbibigyan (we can’t accommodate the extension).”

“Yung nangyari sa Marawi, huwag nating sabihin na since tumigil na ’yung bakbakan sa Marawi ay tapos na ’yun. Hindi pa tapos ’yun; may mga movement pa rin ’yan at saka mayroon pa rin silang kasamahan na nandodoon,” the Speaker also said. (What happened in Marawi, let’s not assume that since the fighting has stopped, it’s over. It’s not. They [the terrorists] still have their comrades there.)

He added: “Pagka bumiyahe kami ngayon sa Mindanao, every kilometer or so merong checkpoint. Sanay na kami doon, mas gusto namin yun. Kasi sa checkpoint, pinababa lahat, tinitingnan kung merong mga baril or explosives na dala. And we feel safer pagka ganyan.” (When we travel now in Mindanao, every kilometer or so there’s a checkpoint. We’re used to that now, we prefer it that way. Because at the checkpoint, we all step out of our vehicles, the police inspect if there are guns or explosives being brought. And we feel safer that way.) — with Arjay L. Balinbin and Minde Nyl R. dela Cruz

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