Tausug solon wants entire PHL placed under martial law

A party-list lawmaker on Saturday said Congress should place the entire country under martial law.

During the casting of vote for the proposed five-month extension of martial in Mindanao, KUSUG-TAUSUG party-list Representative Shernee Abubakar Tan proposed the declaration of martial law not only in Mindanao but also in Luzon and Visayas.

"KUSUG-TAUSUG party-list votes yes, and KUSUG-TAUSUG party-list suggests that this body extends martial law not just in Mindanao but also throughout the entire country," she said.

The suggestion drew surprise and laughter from the people in the plenary hall.

In an interview with reporters, Tan explained that rebel groups are not confined in Mindanao.

"Ang mga rebeldo grupo, hindi lang sila sa Mindanao. Meron din sa Luzon, sa Visayas, kagaya ng mga NPA (New People's Army) na recently nagkaroon sila ng clash with our government troops," she said.

"That could be a ground para mag-declare tayo ng martial law nationwide," she added.

With a total affirmative votes of 261, Congress approved the request of President Rodrigo Duterte to extend martial law in Mindanao until December 31.

The vote came hours before Duterte’s 60-day martial law proclamation lapsed on Saturday night.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said during the interpellation of Senator Francis Pangilinan that there is no need to expand martial law to Luzon and Visayas.

“Hindi mangyayari yan…dahil kaakibat na yan sa trabaho namin sa security operations,” he said. —ALG, GMA News