SC orders petitioners to submit reports of alleged rights violations under Mindanao martial law

The Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday ordered the petitioners to submit documents concerning alleged human rights abuses during the government’s implementation of martial law in Mindanao.

During the oral arguments, Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno asked Albay Representative Edcel Lagman to furnish the justices a copy of the Commission on Human Rights’ certification that the agency have received reports of rights violations starting from the declaration of martial law on May 23 until December last year.

The group of former Bayan Muna Representative Neri Colmenareswill have to provide the SC copies of the report on the National Security Policy 2017-2022 and human rights report prepared by the Kabataan party-list, Kalinaw Mindanao and Karapatan.

The Court also directed the Office of the Solicitor General to submit copies of the Operational Directive of the Chief of Staff to the Area Command in Mindanao.

Solicitor General Jose Calida said he would discuss the matter with the generals, adding the document contains “military secrets.”

He also proposed the holding of an executive session with the justices similar to what happened in June last year when the SC was hearing the petitions against the original proclamation.

Sereno, in response, said the Court may allow the conduct of a closed-door briefing depending on the justification of the government. 

The SC is hearing the consolidated petitions against the extension of martial law and suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus until December 31, 2018. — RSJ, GMA News