Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 22) — A lawmaker proposed to expand the coverage of martial law nationwide.
KUSUG-TAUSUG Party List Representative Shernee Abubakar Tan expressed her vote during the nominal voting on approving the extension of martial law in Mindanao up to December 31, 2017.
Nominal voting is a roll-call vote where each person, as rules permit, explains the reason behind the vote.
“KUSUG-TAUSUG Party List votes yes, and KUSUG-TAUSUG Party List suggests that this august body extend martial law not just in Mindanao, but all throughout the entire country,” Tan said.
Some colleagues in the session hall of the Batasang Pambansa applauded her remark.
On the other hand, Defense Secretary and martial law administrator Delfin Lorenzana said earlier during the session that military rule will not go beyond Mindanao.
When Sen. Kiko Pangilinan asked if the threat of the New People’s Army (NPA) would prompt the President to declare martial law in Luzon, Lorenzana said, “Hindi po mangyayari ‘yan siguro, Ginoong Senator.” [It won’t probably happen, Mister Senator.]
“Kasi po kaya lang namin sinasali ‘yan (NPA), dahil sa Mindanao naman ‘yung martial law, ay kaakibat na ‘yan sa trabaho namin na security operations,” he added.
[Translation: The reason why we include the NPA, because martial law covers Mindanao, and it’s part of our job, our security operations.]
The Senate and the House of Representatives granted President Rodrigo Duterte’s request to extend martial law in Mindanao until the end of the year.
