AFP reiterates martial law abuses won’t be tolerated

May 21, 2018

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) assured on Monday to take action against soldiers who could be involved in martial law abuses.

In an interview, AFP spokesman Col. Edgard Arevalo said the military leadership would not tolerate any abuses.

“If there are abuses etc. we urge them to provide documents because the leadership of AFP under General Carlito Galvez Jr., has a strict instruction that there should be no abuses during the implementation of martial law, and it should be in accordance with human rights,” he said.

Some groups in Mindanao alleged that some residents were displaced, tortured and traumatized due to martial law in the region.

They were urging ousted Supreme Court Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno to help them in lifting the martial law declaration.

President Rodrigo Duterte declared martial law in Mindanao shortly after the Maute-ISIS terrorists occupied Marawi City on May 23 last year. The martial law declaration has been extended until December this year. Robina Asido/DMS