Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 15) — The Supreme Court resumed on Thursday the final day of the oral arguments on three consolidated petitions challenging the declaration of martial law in Mindanao.
Martial law administrator and implementor Delfin Lorenzana and Gen. Eduardo Año appeared in court, upon the Supreme Court’s order.
The officials, justices, and petitioners are holding an “internal discussion” as of 12 noon.
The June 15 oral arguments will begin this afternoon.
Listen to the Supreme Court’s audio livestream below:
On Wednesday, Solicitor General Jose Calida defended President Rodrigo Duterte’s declaration of martial law in Mindanao.
Supreme Court Associate Justice Mariano Del Castillo questioned why martial law should not be confined only in Marawi, where there is an ongoing firefight between government troops and terror group Maute.
“What we’re worried (about) is it might embolden the President to later on also include Manila, Visayas, then Luzon, then the entire Philippines. There’s this concern also. Why the entire Mindanao?” Del Castillo said.
On May 24, Duterte said there’s a possibility of declaring a nationwide martial law because lawless elements could easily move from one region to another considering the geography of the Philippines.
Calida said martial law was declared in the south on May 23 via Proclamation 216 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.
“When he (Duterte) saw the gravity of the rebellion, he had to act decisively and swiftly therefore he chose the martial law tool to save Marawi from total capture by the rebels,” Calida said.
The Solicitor General also allayed fears that Duterte’s martial law will have the same effect on Filipinos, as that during the time of President Ferdinand Marcos. The Commission on Human Rights has recorded over 20,000 cases of human rights violations during Marcos’ martial rule.
“President Duterte’s martial law is markedly different than that of President Marcos,” Calida argued.
Calida also said martial law was declared in the entire region as a “psychological” upperhand and as “exclamation points” to sow fear on armed terror groups.
Calida said there is sufficient factual basis for the declaration of martial law in Mindanao.
“All elements of rebellion were present. There is actual rebellion (on) the streets of Marawi….The goal is to take over the Philippine territory,” he said.
