Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 3) — The designated martial law administrator expressed his confidence the Supreme Court will declare the proclamation of military rule in the south as constitutional.
Delfin Lorenzana, also the Defense Secretary, said on Monday he believes the Supreme Court will rule in favor of the proclamation of martial law in Mindanao.
“Very confident that the Supreme Court will rule on the legality of martial law kasi nakita ko naman eh [because I saw it]. I look forward to seeing that they will say that this is legal for the President to declare martial law in the first place,” he said.
The high court is set to rule on the legality of Duterte’s martial law declaration within the week.
“Ang kanilang tinitingnan naman eh the factual basis, kung talagang merong basis. [They are looking at the factual basis, if there is a basis.] I believe we have sufficiently or competently answered all the questions on the basis of martial law,” Lorenzana said.
In June, the Supreme Court heard the three consolidated petitions challenging the declaration of martial law in Mindanao. The petitions called to junk the declaration.
Lorenzana and martial law implementor Gen. Eduardo Año appeared in court during the third oral argument, upon the SC’s order.
The proclamation was signed by President Rodrigo Duterte on May 23.
Solicitor General Jose Calida, who defended the President’s proclamation before the Supreme Court, said martial law was declared to the due to the rebellion by terror groups led by the Islamic State (ISIS) and the Abu Sayyaf, and not only because of the crisis in Marawi.
He also said he is confident they will win the case.
“Ang dami naming depensa. Mas matindi ang depensa namin dito kesa depensa ng Maute,” Calida said on June 14.
[Translation: We have many defenses. Our defense is stronger than the defense of Maute.”]
Related: OSG to SC: Junk petitions for joint session on martial law
Lifting of martial law
Lorenzana said he needs a couple more weeks to decide whether or not the martial law declaration in Mindanao should be lifted.
This comment from Lorenzana came after Duterte said he will take his cue from the military and police when it will be lifted.
The martial law administrator said he does not have enough information to make a recommendation to the President.
He said he needs to factor in the security situation on Marawi and the enemy’s capability to launch attacks.
“We’ll wait for a couple of weeks more so that we will see the real picture. We don’t have yet the necessary information to recommend the continuation or not of martial law,” he said.
Read more: Duterte: Only military, police will justify lifting of martial law
The President may declare martial law for up to 60 days in cases of invasion of rebellion and when public safety requires it.
Military officials believe the defenses of the Maute are crumbling, signified by some members’ willingness to surrender.
Lorenzana, refusing to give a deadline on the end of Marawi crisis, said he hopes the conflict ends before Duterte delivers his State of the Nation Address on July 24.
Hapilon, Maute leader still in Marawi
Military officials said they have received information the emir of ISIS in the Philippines Isnilon Hapilon and one of the two leaders of the Maute group are still in Marawi, despite reports of escape.
“There is an information we got this morning that he’s hiding in one of the mosques there in Marawi. I think this is maybe correct because we also have people watching his arrival in Basilan. There were three fighters from Marawi that arrived in Basilan more than a week ago, but Isnilon was not one of them,” Lorenzana said.
Joint Task Force Marawi Spokesperson Lt. Col. Jo-Ar Herrera, meanwhile said in a separate briefing, they have received reports Abdullah Maute is still in the “main battle area” in Marawi.
Read more: Dureza: Gov’t will not negotiate with Maute group
The supposed death of the other Maute leader, Omar, is still being validated by the authorities.
The government reported 336 terrorists were killed, as of Monday.
CNN Philippines’ Ina Andolong contributed to this report.
