Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 26) — The military bared on Friday the right to censure will be part of guidelines it is crafting to implement martial law in Mindanao.
In a media briefing by Malacañang on Friday, Armed Forces of the Philippines Spokesperson B/Gen. Restituto Padilla said authorities will “exercise the right to censure” if it endangers lives and national security, but will not recommend the suspension of freedom of expression.
Padilla, also the designated spokesperson for the implementation of martial law in Mindanao, said the following are bases for censorship: safety of lives, operational security of government forces, and for other national security considerations.
Specific guidelines for social media will also be issued, following what Padilla claimed as “disinformation” online.
“It will cover social media. The reason these guidelines have to be set, to be given and censure part is because of the things we have been seeing in the operational environment,” he said.
He added, “You, yourselves, have seen that tremendous disinformation clouds or creates a thick fog of war that does not allow a better operational picture or provide a better operational picture of the battlefield,” referring to the photos and videos that went viral on social media during the clash in Marawi City on Tuesday.
As martial law administrator, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana will come up with the guidelines. Armed Forces chief Gen. Eduardo Año will be the lead implementor. They are all under President Duterte, the commander-in-chief.
“They are currently working on this even as we speak. So, the administrator will have those set of guidelines and will issue them out to the implementor, who is the Chief of Staff, Armed Forces of the Philippines,” Padilla said.
Padilla added the Defense department has released the initial guidelines which uphold the rule of law and human rights.
Nothing to fear?
The government allayed fears of abuse under martial rule in Mindanao.
Solicitor General Jose Calida said the proclamation of martial law and the suspension of the privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus in Mindanao should not be a cause for those following the law.
“The law-abiding citizens should not be concerned. Those who should be concerned are those who are rebelling against the government,” he said.
Should there be cases of abuse by authorities, Padilla urged the public to report these, and they will probe and act quickly.
Duterte placed Mindanao under martial rule mainly due to the crisis in Marawi City. Other areas also have security problems such as Sulu, Zamboanga peninsula, Central Mindanao, and Davao region.
The President raised the possibility of expanding martial law coverage to the Visayas, and even nationwide.
