“We opposed Duterte’s creeping authoritarian rule and the Supreme Court decision will embolden him to expand martial law,” Villarin told reporters. “Our contention is that we can effectively fight terrorists and rebels even without the extraordinary powers of martial law. Since Duterte’s martial law declaration last May 23, the military has yet to fully retake Marawi City from the Maute group. Villarin also disclosed that he was filing a House Resolution seeking to investigate human rights abuses and excesses committed under Duterte’s martial rule. The Constitution mandates Congress to review the President’s martial law declaration which is only limited to 60 days.

Source: Manila Times July 05, 2017 08:48 UTC