JV Ejercito favors martial law extension in Mindanao

Senator JV Ejercito on Tuesday said he was in favor of extending martial law in Mindanao, if warranted, as the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has yet to gain full control of the situation in Marawi City.

“I would think so [there is a need to extend]. Kasi hindi rin siguro akalain — kapag hindi pa dumating yung actual situation, you cannot assess. You cannot really set deadlines,” Ejercito told reporters in an interview.

Ejercito said he would ask Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III to request for another briefing from security officials before the 60-day martial law declaration lapses on July 22.

President Rodrigo Duterte declared martial law in Mindanao on the evening of May 23.

If and when the situation necessitates that the martial law period should be extended, Ejercito said Congress should convene in a joint session.

“Pag sa 60th day, whether to revoke or to extend, kailangan na mag-joint session and I would request for another briefing from the defense and security officials so that we will have a better grasp, better assessment of the situation,” he said.

Article VII, Section 18 of the 1987 Constitution states that Congress may revoke the proclamation of marital law “voting jointly, by a vote of at least a majority of all its members in regular or special session.”

"Upon the initiative of the President, the Congress may, in the same manner, extend such proclamation or suspension for a period to be determined by the Congress, if the invasion or rebellion shall persist and public safety requires it," it further says.

Ejercito was one of the senators who expressed support for the declaration of martial law, saying members of the Maute group were not ordinary criminals.

“They are funded, internationally-connected... Kung ano mang instrumento ang kailangan ng Armed Forces, tulad ng martial law, I think it will be very essential to quell the rebellion right away, ibigay na natin,” he said.

He said the imposition of martial law was necessary to effect the immediate arrest of suspected terrorists in Marawi. — MDM, GMA News