Palace says SC ruling on martial law extension shows unity of whole govt vs terrorists

February 7, 2018

Malacanang lauded on Wednesday the Supreme Court's decision upholding the constitutionality of martial law extension in Mindanao.

In a statement, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said the high court's decision shows the cooperation of the entire government to crush the terrorists.

"The Supreme Court’s decision affirming the further extension of the proclamation of martial law and the suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus in Mindanao underscores the unity of the whole government in its bid to defeat terrorism and prevent the spread in other parts of the country of DIWW (Daesh) and other like-minded local and foreign terrorist groups," he said.

Voting 10-5, the SC agreed with the decision of President Rodrigo Duterte, with congressional concurrence, that martial rule is still needed in Mindanao until the end of this year.

"The majority of votes is a manifestation of confidence on law enforcement agencies that they shall, like they had been doing before, continue to protect our people, secure Mindanao, and pursue the bigger task of rehabilitation while upholding the rule of law, Human Rights, and International Humanitarian Law," Roque said.

Duterte placed the whole of southern Philippines under martial law on May 23 last year shortly after the Islamic State-inspired Maute terrorists attacked and occupied Marawi City.

Despite his declaration last October that Marawi was already liberated from terrorists, the President, through the recommendation of the police and military, asked Congress to further extend martial law in Mindanao until December 31 to fully wipe out the terrorists in the region. Celerina Monte/DMS