The declaration of martial law and the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus continued to alarm local and foreign groups that fear increased rights abuses. The leftist group Karapatan belittled assurances from security forces that they will observe the law in implementing martial law in Mindanao. “The sudden declaration of Martial Law is bound to make matters worse. At the same time, the New York-based Human Rights Watch said martial law could give rise to abuses that could rival the Duterte administration’s war against drugs. “Duterte’s martial law threatens military abuses in Mindanao that could rival the murderous ‘drug war’ in urban areas,” said Phelim Kine, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer May 26, 2017 17:26 UTC