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Mindanao martial law extension a prelude to ‘strongman rule’ —CHR commissioner


The extension of martial law in Mindanao beyond the December 31 deadline may be a prelude to a "strongman rule," an official of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) said Sunday.

CHR Commissioner Roberto Cadiz said in an interview with Super Radyo dzBB that the military and the police's recommendation to extend the Mindanao martial law is "alarming" because it has no justification.

"Sinabi na nila na tapos na 'yung ano, 'yung Maute, na-neutralize na. Ako ha, opinyon ko lang parang they are testing the waters nga for a strongman rule," Cadiz said.

He added that putting Mindanao under martial law for a longer period may be just a tip of a "bigger scene," which for personally for him, is alarming.

"Parang it goes beyond martial law pa eh kasi this revolutionary government talk, coming from no less than the sitting president. Actually nakakalito eh pero ang nakikita ko lang they just want to give power to a person who wants to be, you know... Ang fear nga is tyranny," Cadiz said.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) have recommended the extension of the Mindanao martial law.

Interior Assistant Secretary Jonathan Malaya had said the recommendation was based on two factors: the need to address continuing terror threats in the southern region and to facilitate the rehabilitation of war-torn Marawi City.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said President Rodrigo Duterte is already reviewing the recommendation of the military and the police.

The Maute group attacked Marawi City on May 23, prompting Duterte to place the entire Mindanao under martial law for 60 days.

Before the declaration lapsed on July 22, Duterte was able to secure Congress' nod for its extension until the end of the year.

Malacañang has yet to lift the declaration despite Duterte's declaration last October 17 that Marawi City had been freed from the Maute group.

Impunity

Meanwhile, Cadiz called on Duterte to stop making pronouncement that encourage impunity among security forces, particularly those involved in the government's war on drugs.

"We are calling on the President to please stop sending these messages that are being interpreted by the enforcement agencies as a license to kill suspected drug addicts," Cadiz said.

He added that there is an ongoing "pattern of extrajudicial killings" in the country.

"There is impunity on the part of the enforcement agencies. Ibig sabihin, wala silang takot na mahuli o ma-hold into account as a general rule," he said.

He clarified that this is just his own point of view and not of the entire CHR.

Duterte had been slamming the CHR for its statements regarding his war on drugs. He had said that he would want the body abolished.

In a separate statement for the celebratino of the International Human Rights Day, Senator Risa Hontiveros said some human rights principles are "in peril under the government of President Rodrigo Duterte."

"...every person has the right to life, and a chance to shape one's future. That no human being should be the target of discrimination in any form, and that those who society has pushed aside be given a voice... It is thus imperative that we defend human rights, and fight state wrongs," Hontiveros said.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, meanwhile, reiterated that the Philippines is an active member of the United Nations Human Rights Council, and that respect for human rights as a state policy is enshrined in the 1987 Constitution.

Roque said the Duterte administration's goal to give every Filipino a "fighting chance to overcome poverty" is what inspires the government's compliance with its human rights obligations. —Anna Felicia Bajo/ALG, GMA News

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