By Argyll Cyrus B. Geducos
Malacañang has said it is prepared to defend the basis for the one-year extension of martial law in Mindanao, reiterating that it is necessary to purge the terror threat on the island.
According to presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, Congress recognized the necessity of martial law to quell terrorists in Mindanao.
“The Legislative and Executive departments have already decided that the further extension of martial law in Mindanao is necessary to quell the remaining terrorists who brought destruction to Marawi and its neighboring communities,” Roque said.
“The legal and factual bases of the martial law extension have been clearly established based on the security assessment by our ground commanders,” Roque said. “We are thus prepared to defend our position before the High Court,” he added.
Roque said petitioners’ claim that that martial law may lead to “extension in perpetuity” are mere speculations.
“These are mere surmises and conjectures and not supported by law and the Constitution. Martial law in perpetuity is a scenario that neither the President, Congress, or the Supreme Court will allow as it is patently unconstitutional,” he said.
Opposition lawmakers in the House of Representatives have filed a petition before the Supreme Court questioning the constitutionality of the extension.
Congress, voting 240-47, overwhelmingly approved the extension of martial law for one year until Dec. 31, 2018 last Dec. 13.