Palace welcomes CHR statement on martial law

MANILA, Philippines —The Malacañang on Sunday welcomed remarks from the Commission on Human Rights saying there have been no reports of human rights and abuses in Mindanao, which has been under martial law since May.

“Let this put to rest fears and anxiety of some quarters against martial law,” Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said in a statement.

The Malacañang issued the statement after a report quoted Commissioner CHR Commissioner Roberto Eugenio saying there have been no reports of violations committed by authorities after President Rodrigo Duterte declared martial law in the whole of Mindanao last May 23.

He however said there are concerns that the martial law will be used for political reasons other than suppressing rebellion in the region.

Cadiz however clarified that the concerns are just merely fears.

“As we said in previous occasions, public safety is foremost in the president's mind in light of the continuing rebellion in Marawi and martial law is a necessary response to address the prevailing reign of terror and its potential spillover to the rest of Mindanao,” Abella said.

CHR monitoring martial law

CHR spokesperson Jacqueline de Guia previously assured the public that they are monitoring the situation in Marawi City through the regional human rights commission of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

De Guia urged the government “to ensure that the rights of all Filipinos are upheld while addressing this humanitarian crisis in southern Philippines.”

The spokesperson said that the 1987 Constitution enforces the respect for all civil liberties and assures the protection of human rights despite such declaration of martial law.

Duterte declared martial law in Mindanao on May 23 after the ISIS-inspired local terror group attacked Marawi City.

He said he issued Proclamation 2016 to suppress violence in the whole of Mindanao and neutralize the Maute local terror group.