The Philippine Congress opened a special session to vote on Duterte’s bid for an extension of martial law in the south to defeat Islamist gunmen. Duterte is widely expected to win approval for martial law in the region until the end of the year, with troops having failed to wrest back Marawi city following two months of fighting. / AFP PHOTO / NOEL CELIS
(Eagle News) — An overwhelming majority of the joint special session in Congress said “yes” to martial law extension in Mindanao until December 31, 2017, with 16 senators and 245 congressmen voting for it, and only four senators and 14 lawmakers voting against it.
This was the result of the joint special session in Congress on Saturday, July 22, in a hearing that lasted for almost seven hours, starting at past nine in the morning.
The motion to extend martial law until December 31, 2018 is “hereby approved by Congress,” said House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez immediately after the voting.
In all, 261 voted “yes” for martial law extension while only 18 voted “no”
The four senators who voted “no” were Franklin Drilon, Risa Hontiveros, Bam Aquino and Francis Pangilinan, who is also the Liberal Party president.
Defense and security officials stressed the need for the extension of martial law in Mindanao until December 31, 2017, but at the same time clarified that they could also request for its lifting once the problem of rebellion by the Islamist terrorists had been addressed.
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said it was important to finish off the terrorists in Marawi and to make sure that they would not be able to spread in other parts of Mindanao.
Lorenzana said that the extension of martial law in Mindanao would “address” the terrorism problem in the whole of Mindanao.
“Rebellion can spill over to other areas,” he stressed during the joint special session in Congress on Saturday, July 22.
Certain opposition lawmakers, including those from ACT Teachers Party List, Gabriela Party list, Anakpawis party list, questioned the extension, as they claimed human rights violations have been commited by the military.
Kabataan party-List Rep. Sara Jane Elago even questioned the amount of funds spent by the government in sending soldiers.
Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea said that he does not have the figures.
Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, who had filed the petition against martial law in Mindanao before the Supreme Court, also opposed the extension, saying that it had no factual basis.
Mindanao lawmakers express “full support” for martial law extension
Curiously lawmakers from Mindanao expressed their full suport for the extension of martial law.
They were Representatives Bai Sandra Sema of the first district of Maguindanao, Celso Lobregat of the first district of Zamboanga City, Zajid Mangudadatu of the second district of Maguindanao, Mauyag “Jun” Papandayan of the second district of Lanao del Sur, and Ansaruddin Adiong of the first district of Lanao del Sur.
Zamboanga City Rep. Lobregat was the first lawmaker from Mindanao to stand up and express his support for the martial law extension in Mindanao until year-end.
“I’m part of the silent majority that supports martial law,” he said in an emotionally charged hearing where some lawmakers had expressed their position before the voting.
Addressing the alleged human rights concerns raised by minority congressmen, Lobregat said: “Kasalanan ba yun ng martial law or kasalanan ng terorista?”
He noted that the human rights violations and atrocities being committed by the Islamist extremists were not even being highlighted or mentioned by the martial law oppositors in Congress.
Lobregat said that the extension of martial law in Mindanao will in fact lessen the suffering of the people of Mindanao.
Maguindanao first district Rep Bai Sema said that the terrorist ideology now seen in Marawi was a new ideology that is not supported by the people in Mindanao.
“Ito po ay bagong ideology at di kami sumusuporta dito,” she said.
Sema also appealed for unity among Filipinos and the people of Mindanao, since disunity among Filipinos is what extremists want, she said.
Maguindanao second district Rep. Mangudadatu also stressed that the lawmakers who have expressed opposition against martial law extension in Mindanao, are not even from Mindanao.
“Some of the lawmakers against martial law are from Luzon. Sana po ay tumira sila doon para alam nila ang tunay na gusto ng tao,” he said noting that people had been disciplined with the imposition of martial law in their area.
He noted that the government forces are also coordinating well with them in their movements and this was well-appreciated by the people of Mindanao.
“Nagco-coordinate po sila sa amin, bago po papasok,” he said.
Mangudadatu also noted how this “urban warfare” was a new and dangerous thing both for civilians and the soldiers, who are much used to fighting in isolated areas.
Lanao del Sur second district Rep. Mauyag “Jun” Papandayan said that Marawi residents are the victims here of terrorism.
“Sana po ay ma-approve na ang martial law (extension) para mawakasan na ang paghahasik ng lagim sa aming lugar,” he said.
Martial law administrator and Armed Forces chief of Staff Gen. Eduardo Año said it was the military and defense officials who had recommended the extension of martial law in Mindanao until year-end.
-Army soldier details difficulties faced by soldiers in Marawi fighting
During the hearing, an army soldier who had fought in the Zamboanga siege, and in fighting the Maute Group in Butig, Lanao del Sur and more recently in Marawi City, related before lawmakers the difficulties government soldiers faced in Marawi City.
Philippine Army first Lieutenant Kent Fagyan said that the “urban warfare” in Marawi City was much more difficult and is endangering lives of soldiers.
This was because the Islamist terrorists, including the Maute group, have knowledge of the terrain in Marawi and had established their positions in vantage points.
Soldiers had to tread slowly from house to house, and from corner to corner as Maute snipers in high positions can easily shoot them. The Islamist terrorists also have a deep arsenal that had even surprised government forces who initially thought they can wipe out the enemy in a matter of days.
“Marami silang 50 caliber. Unlimited po ang bala nila,” Lt. Fagyan said. “Ang Maute group. naka-defensive position na po sila.”
“Mas mahirap po yung sa Marawi,” he said, comparing the Marawi fighting to the fighting he did in the Zamboanga siege in 2013.
In the first few weeks of fighting in Marawi, soldiers could not even sleep as there was gunfight from morning until night time, he said.
“Ginagawa po namin trabaho namin para ma-liberate ang Marawi. Kasi nararamdaman po namin, hindi po kami nag-iisa na lumalaban sa kanila,” Fagyan said, citing the letters of support and donations they receive from fellow Filipinos, kind civilians who saluted their bravery.
At the hearing, lawmakers also thanked the soldiers for their sacrifice in Marawi City.
(with a report from Meanne Corvera, Eagle News Service)