Opposition lawmakers on Monday asked the Supreme Court to reject President Rodrigo Duterte’s imposition of martial law in Mindanao, branding it unconstitutional.
Duterte declared military rule in the region on May 23 to quell what he said was a fast-growing threat from the Islamic State (IS) group there.
Duterte made the declaration a few hours after militants flying black IS flags rampaged through the southern city of Marawi, triggering clashes with security forces that are still ongoing and have left at least 178 people dead.
The petition was filed by Representatives Edcel Lagman of Albay, Teddy Baguilat Jr. of Ifugao, Edgar Erice of Caloocan, Emmanuel Billones of Capiz, Tom Villarin of Akbayan, and Gary Alejano of Magdalo.
The petition filed with the Supreme Court said martial law should be struck down for “utter lack of sufficient factual basis.”
“The grim specter of repression, atrocities, injustice and corruption again bedevils the Filipino people with the unwarranted, precipitate and unconstitutional declaration of martial law,” said the petition.
The 1987 constitution imposes limits on martial law to prevent abuses, including allowing the Supreme Court to review its factual basis.
The petition stated that Duterte’s reasons for declaring martial law were “mostly inaccurate, simulated, false and/or hyperbolic.”
It highlighted one of Duterte’s statements to justify martial law that the militants had beheaded a local police chief.
National police chief Ronald Dela Rosa later said the officer was not beheaded.
The constitution allows martial law to be imposed only in the event of invasion or rebellion.
The petitioners said the unrest in Marawi did not amount to rebellion, as stated by Duterte.
The Supreme Court has 30 days to rule on the petition. (Agence France Presse)
