the martial law was declared in mindanao on may 23, 2017.
the martial law was declared in mindanao on may 23, 2017.
when was the martial law declared in mindanao?
may 23 , 2017
at 10:00 p.m. pst () on may 23, 2017, amid a maute group-related escalation of conflicts in mindanao as well as recent clashes in marawi between the armed forces of the philippines and the islamist group, philippine president rodrigo duterte placed the whole of mindanao, including basilan, sulu, and tawi-tawi, under martial law. the proclamation was announced during a press briefing held in moscow, where duterte was on an official visit; the state of martial law will be in effect for 60 days. presidential spokesperson ernesto abella said the declaration was possible given the "existence of rebellion," while foreign secretary alan peter cayetano explained that the step was taken with "the safety, the lives and property of people of mindanao" in mind. implementation is to be pursuant to the 1987 constitution, which provides for a maximum 60 day-state of martial law without congress approval for extension, the continuation of government functions, and the safeguard of individual freedoms. however, duterte insisted that it will not be any different from martial law under president ferdinand marcos.
proclamation no. 216
some lawmakers from mindanao expressed their views on the president's declaration of martial law. mindanao lawmakers led by speaker pantaleon alvarez said wednesday, may 24 that the declaration of martial law in mindanao is justifiable, given the other security problems faced by the region. surigao del sur 2nd district representative johnny pimentel shared the same sentiment. he said martial law will help address his province’s longstanding "insurgency problem". davao city 1st district representative karlo nograles, who called the crisis in marawi as a “clear case of rebellion," said martial rule will help confine the fighting. alvarez and nograles also noted that the 1987 constitution has safeguards against abuse in relation to martial law. senator manny pacquiao said “i fully support the declaration of martial law in mindanao by president rodrigo duterte. i believe this is timely and necessary in the light of political turmoil perpetrated by the moro extremists in marawi city.” senators antonio trillanes iv and bam aquino, on the other hand, questioned president duterte's declaration of a martial law in mindanao. according to former president fidel ramos, "the martial law that will happen could be more harmful" (compared to ferdinand marcos's time).
proclamation no. 216