Two Catholic clergymen criticized the “subservient Congress” for allowing the extension of martial law in Mindanao and warned of the creeping authoritarianism it will purportedly spawn. Writing in his blog on the day Congress approved the one-year extension of martial law, Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo urged Filipinos to speak up against Congress. ADVERTISEMENTMr. Duterte initially declared martial law in Mindanao on May 23 after the Maute terrorist group attacked Marawi City. “Martial law is supposedly an answer to an extraordinary situation, like the case of rebellion. Picardal, on the other hand, doubted that martial law can bring about peace or solve poverty, which is the root of rebellion.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer December 15, 2017 23:26 UTC