Protesters urge Duterte to lift martial law in Mindanao
Konsyensya Dabaw spokesperson Mags Konsyensya Dabawo spokesperson Mags Maglana at the protest action in Davao City on 21 September 2017. MindaNews photo courtesy of JHOANNA CRUZ
Based on the Constitution the declaration was supposed to lapse on July 22. But four days before that, the president announced he was extending it until December 31 this year because “rebellion in Mindanao will not be completely quelled” within a shorter timeframe. Congress approved the extension.
Maglana said she understands if some Dabawenyos appear to favor martial law because it gives the public a “sense of security”.
She, however, pointed out that people should remember the human rights abuses that took place under the 21-year rule of the late dictator Marcos, almost 14 years of it under martial law.
She said peace and order can still be maintained even without martial law if the police and the military would only do their jobs right.
She added extra-judicial killings reflect a weak government because it suggests “it is not in control of the situation”.
Protesters, including farmers, religious groups, and students, from several parts of Davao Region took to the streets to seek justice for the victims of martial law under Marcos.
They also asked Duterte to junk martial law, stop his bloody war on drugs, address political killings, drop the military’s Oplan Kapayaan, and lift his all-out war policy against the New People’s Army.
Dabawenyos from various sectors join the protest action to commemorate the 45th anniversary of the declaration of martial law by the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos and to express their opposition to tyranny. MindaNews photo by ANTONIO L. COLINA IV
The protesters assembled at the Andres Bonifacio Rotunda, Poblacion District in the city and marched to Freedom Park on Roxas Avenue.
Bayan-Southern Mindanao Region secretary general Sheena Duazo expressed dismay that protesters coming from outside the city were held on Thursday morning at Task Force Davao checkpoints in Lasang, Calinan, and Sirawan in Toril.
Duazo said the protesters felt violated when a military convoy guided them after they were granted entry to the city, saying they wanted to join the rally as they were alleged victims of militarization.
She said she hopes the President would heed their call to give justice to victims of alleged military abuses.
Lumads (Indigenous Peoples) air their concerns against attacks on “schools, communities and people” during the protesat action on 21 September 2017 in Davao City. MindaNews photo by ANTONIO L. COLINA IV
Karapatan-Southern Mindanao spokesperson Jay Apiag lamented that the 47 alleged political killings under the Duterte administration had almost surpassed the 52 political killings recorded during the Aquino administration.
He added that martial law must be lifted as the people risk arrest should they fail to provide identifications and prove they are not terrorists.
On September 19, Duterte issued Proclamation No. 319, declaring Thursday as a National Day of Protest.
It says the Duterte administration “recognizes the fear and indignation of the people against repetition and perpetuation of such human rights violations and all other failings of the government.”
It further states that the President “is in solidarity with the people’s call against all excesses and shortcomings of the government, and with the people’s desire to uphold highest standards of integrity, efficiency and accountability in government.”
“I urge all protesters to act within the bounds of the law, maintain a peaceful conduct of rallies, marches and demonstrations, be vigilant of possible infiltrators who may instigate violence in an effort to provoke the police and other law enforcement authorities, and avoid causing any undue inconvenience to their fellow citizens,” Duterte said. (Antonio L. Colina IV/Mindanews)
