Panelo: Public should not be alarmed by Duterte’s martial law declaration in Mindanao

President Rodrigo Duterte’s declaration of martial law in Mindanao should not be a cause for alarm, chief presidential legal counsel Sec. Salvador Panelo insisted Thursday.

In a statement, Panelo stressed that the actions of the Maute group justified the decision of the President to sign Proclamation No. 216, placing the entire Mindanao under martial law.

“The public should not be alarmed by the President’s proclamation because the Constitution itself provides ample safeguards to ensure the responsible implementation of martial law,” he said.

“Given the safeguards provided by the Constitution, and the President’s pure intention to do everything within his power to maintain peace and order and ensure the safety of the public, there should be no reason for the public to be anxious about the proclamation of martial law,” he added.

Panelo pointed out that the proclamation of martial law was limited to 60 days. Any extension should be approved by the Congress. He added that Duterte was required to submit a report to Congress within 48 hours from the martial law proclamation.

“Congress, voting jointly, would then have the power to revoke the proclamation of martial law by a vote of at least a majority of all its members, which revocation the President cannot set aside,” Panelo explained.

Trillanes says no

But in a television interview, Senator Antonio Trillanes IV said previous presidents have resolved far serious terror problems without the need of declaring martial law compared to the threat posed by the Maute Group in Marawi City.

"Yun pong nangyari sa Marawi City ay marami na tayong previous experiences na mas malawak pa ang magnitude: yung Ipil massacre nung 1995, yung all-out war sa Central Mindanao, yung Cabatangan siege, at ito recently yung Zamboanga City siege," Trillanes told GMA News TV's News To Go.

"Ito ay mas malalaki at mas maraming pwersa ng kalaban ang involved pero ang proportional response na ginawa ng mga past presidents ay regular military operation and police operation at nasugpo naman yung mga threats na yun. Wala ni isa sa kanila, sa mga presidenteng yun, ang gumamit ng martial law," he added.

Trillanes questioned the martial law declaration of President Rodrigo Duterte in Mindanao since the military already said the threat of the Maute Group has been contained.

"Base sa ating impormasyon ay na-contain na ng Sandatahang Lakas yung problema dito sa Marawi City. Ngayon kung kakailangan mo ngang mag-declare ng martial law, pwede doon lang sa Marawi City or sa Lanao del Sur. Walang reason kung bakit mo gagamitin ito sa buong Mindanao," he said.

Trillanes earlier called on Congress to reject Duterte's declaration, saying there is no basis for such action.

Go to Supreme Court

For his part, Panelo said any Filipino could ask the Supreme Court to review the declaration of martial law. The high court is expected to decide on the petition within 30 days.

“Finally, to be clear, and as provided in the Constitution, a state of martial law does not suspend the operation of the Constitution, nor supplant the functioning of the civil courts or legislative assemblies, nor authorize the conferment of jurisdiction on military courts and agencies over civilians where civil courts are able to function,” he said.

Duterte declared martial law in Mindanao on May 23 amid his supposed landmark official trip to Russia after ISIS-inspired group attacked Marawi City as security forces was about to serve a warrant of arrest on Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon. — Trisha Macas and Joseph Tristan Roxas/RSJ, GMA News