Martial law extension need not cover Luzon, Visayas –Panelo

A Malacanang official on Tuesday said the proposed extension of the martial law proclamation will not cover Luzon and the Visayas, allaying fears of those opposed to the declaration.

"Ako tingin ko baka 'di na umabot doon," presidential chief legal counsel Salvador Panelo said in a forum in UP Diliman.

President Rodrigo Duterte put the entire Mindanao under martial law on May 23 following the attack of the ISIS-inspired Maute group on Marawi City. Its 60-day implementation will lapse on July 22, although Duterte, in a letter, has asked Congress to extend it up to the end of the year.

Congress is set to hold a special joint session on Saturday to discuss the possible extension.

Panelo, meanwhile, credited the martial law declaration for the successful government offensive against the Maute group, which has sought to establish a "wilayat"  or a provincial ISIS territory in Mindanao.

"Nagiging matagumpay ang laban natin sa kanila (Maute). Kagaya ng sinasabi nung mga naroroon sa ground, ilang linggo lang tatapusin na nila," he said.

For those saying that the extension should only cover Marawi City, Panelo said: "Siguro mas praktikal na the whole Mindanao pa rin ang extension ng martial law. Kasi kung ili-limit mo 'yan sa isang probinsya, may problema ka pa rin."

Human rights abuses

Amid speculations that there were human rights abuses in Mindanao following the military rule, Panelo pointed out that there were no cases filed against soldiers. He also said the 1987 Constitution will protect the people against supposed abuses.

"The very Constitution itself is the safeguard... kaya nga ni-limit lang to 60 days ang martial law. Kongreso lang ang magsasabi kung pwedeng i-extend o hindi," Panelo said.

"At the same time, puwede tayong tumawid sa Korte Suprema kahit isang ordinaryong tao, puwede tayong tumakbo doon," he added.

Panelo also reiterated that there is indeed rebellion in the region, which prompted Duterte to place Mindanao under military rule.

"Necessity requires him to declare martial law. May rebelyon ho tayo. Di ko naman maintindihan 'yung mga kumokontra na wala raw rebellion sa Marawi. Nakikita naman natin 'yun eh. 'Yun ho ang ginamit ni Presidente na dahilan para magdeklara ng batas militar," Panelo said.

"He submitted proof, merong video na si Hapilon saka 'yung Maute group. Matagal na ho sinasabi ni Presidente na 'yung ISIS nandito na sa bansa pero wala namang nakikinig sa kanya, kaya nung sumabog nagulat na lang lahat," he added. —KBK/KVD, GMA News