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CHR to Congress: Exercise due diligence in reviewing Duterte's martial law


The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Wednesday urged lawmakers to "exercise due diligence and consideration" in reviewing the merits of President Rodrigo Duterte's order to declare martial law in Mindanao.

"Let us be reminded of the lessons of the 1972 declaration under a regime of a dictatorship—that we may never again repeat this dark past and continue to recognize the higher value of human dignity at all times," said lawyer Jacqueline De Guia, CHR spokesperson, in a statement.

Duterte was in Russia Tuesday night when he put Mindanao under martial law following the attack on Marawi City by members of the Maute Group, a band of self-styled ISIS supporters.

The attack, which prompted Duterte to cut short his official visit to Russia, resulted in clashes with government troops that left five dead and 31 wounded on the side of the police and military, and 13 on the side of the Maute Group.

In his arrival speech on Wednesday, Duterte also raised the prospect of placing the entire Philippines under martial rule of ISIS reaches Luzon. 

Under the 1987 Constitution, a joint session of Congress may revoke or extend a martial law declaration made by a president. The Supreme Court may also review the sufficiency of the factual basis of the proclamation or the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus. 

De Guia said this provides the proper checks and balances of the government in the event of such a proclamation.

"The Philippine Congress—including civilian government institutions, such as civilian courts—shall remain in force and will continue with its functions towards ensuring proper checks and balance under this circumstance," she said.

De Guia urged the government "to ensure that the rights of all Filipinos are upheld while addressing this humanitarian crisis" in Mindanao.

"The 1987 Constitution enforces the respect for all civil liberties and assures the protection of human rights despite such declaration of Martial Law, which includes every Filipino’s rights to life, freedom from torture, warrantless arrest, and illegal detention," she added.

De Guia likewise condemned the attacks of the Maute Group and has called for prayers for affected residents and government security forces.

"We are with the nation in praying for the safety of our sisters and brothers caught in the crossfire, as well as with our security forces on the ground ensuring the safety of our fellow Filipinos," the CHR official said. —Joseph Tristan Roxas/KBK, GMA News

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