Lacson scores colleagues opposing martial law proclamation in Mindanao

Senator Panfilo Lacson on Wednesday slammed his colleagues who continue to object to the declaration of martial law, saying either they do not understand the security threat in Mindanao or they are just opposed to President Rodrigo Duterte.

“Our colleagues who still oppose the martial law proclamation either did not understand the gravity of the security threat posed by the rebellion in the south, or they are simply opposed to anything that President Duterte does or acts on,” Lacson said.

The senator said this following the release of a video footage of a secret meeting of insurgents led by Isnilon Hapilon as they planned the attack on Marawi City.

The footage, obtained exclusively by The Associated Press, was shown to senators when they held an executive caucus with security officials on the declaration of martial law last week, said Lacson.

“This video footage, among other disclosures in the security briefing made by top security officials of the Duterte administration during our executive caucus, is what made me decide to vote in favor of the martial law proclamation in Mindanao,” Lacson said.

Lacson was one of the 17 senators who authored a resolution expressing support for the declaration of martial law.

Senator Grace Poe, for her part, said the video confirms suspicion that Hapilon and the Maute brothers have a “connection” with foreign terrorists.

Poe, one of the senators who supported the minority bloc’s resolution for joint session, urged Congress anew to discuss Duterte’s martial law proclamation.

“Importante para talakayin kung lalagpas ng 60 days. Ano ba ang dapat i-expect at malaman sa gobyerno kung ano ang gagawin para ma-siguardo, unang una, ang kaligtasan, para linisin ang mga terorista dun,” she said.

On Monday, the declaration of martial law in Mindanao was questioned by opposition congressmen before the Supreme Court (SC), saying Proclamation No. 216 has no factual basis.

A day after, several petitioners led by Senator Leila de Lima sought the SC’s intervention, urging the tribunal to compel Congress to convene in joint session to deliberate on the martial law declaration. 

The Senate minority bloc has also expressed its support to the petition questioning the declaration of martial law in Mindanao. — Kathrina Charmaine Alvarez/RSJ, GMA News