(Eagle News) — Several senators backed President Rodrigo Duterte’s declaration of martial law in Mindanao, with one noting that the “despicable terrorists” must be held “accountable for their crimes against humanity.”
In a statement, Senator Joel Villanueva said the declaration of martial law in the southern Philippines needed to be done due to the “gravity of this horrific incident.”
“We condemn to the highest degree the recent attacks which transpired in Marawi City. As to the President’s declaration of martial law in Mindanao, we understand why the situation calls for it due to the gravity of this horrific incident,” Villanueva said.
Senator Win Gatchalian said he believed the President had the “paramount interest of the Filipino people in mind in declaring Martial Law in Mindanao.”
He said he was “confident” that the President, as a dutiful son of Mindanao, would “pour his heart and soul into efforts to restore peace and order there as quickly as possible.”
“We must hold these despicable terrorists accountable for their crimes against humanity,” he said.
Senator Kiko Pangilinan, for his part, said he respected the President’s powers to declare martial law in order to quash a rebellion based on the Constitution.
He said, however, that as a lawmaker, it was his constitutional duty to check if there was indeed basis for the declaration of such.
Pangilinan said he supported every move of the military.
Senator Bam Aquino agreed, as he condemned “in the strongest possible terms the attacks by the Maute Group in Marawi.”
Villanueva also expressed confidence that the authorities would be able to restore peace and order in the area.
He said they have “succeeded numerous times in the past in stopping this group from wreaking havoc.”
“Together, let us all pray for the people in Marawi City and other parts of Mindanao especially the innocent ones who have been suffering from decades of conflict. May we remain steadfast and united in this difficult time,” Villanueva said.
Duterte, who made the declaration of martial law in Mindanao through his spokesperson on Tuesday night, is the third president to make the move in the country, after Presidents Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Ferdinand Marcos.
Duterte made the declaration following clashes between government troops and Islamic State-linked Maute group in Marawi City that left at least one dead.
The military said the clashes began after they started operations against Isnilon Hapilon, believed to be the ISIS leader in the Philippines, who was reportedly in hiding in Marawi.
The President is required to submit a report to Congress within 48 hours after the declaration of martial law.
With a report from Meanne Corvera, Eagle News Service
