Martial Law Extension Admission of 'incompetence' - Tindig Pilipinas

Cause-oriented group Tindig Pilipinas slammed the decision of Congress to further extend the declaration of martial law in Mindanao, saying that this was an "admission of incompetence and a power grab by a murderous, corrupt and increasingly isolated regime."

It just took the Senate and the House of Representatives half a day to approve the chief executive's request as both chambers are dominated by Duterte's political allies.

"The government attempts to show itself as competent and strong by bragging about its long drawn and stumbling campaign to capture the Maute group but has left Marawi, its businesses, its homes and most especially its people and children in ruins and desperation," the group said in a statement released on Wednesday.

"So the question is will we allow this incompetent and authoritarian regime to continue its pilot project in Mindanao as it schemes to impose martial law all over the country?" the group asked.

The group also warned that military rule and the suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus in Mindanao, a region of 22 million plagued by underdevelopment and extreme poverty, were just a prelude to a possible declaration of martial law in the whole country.

"Our Constitution does not allow it. The insistence of the Duterte government and its lapdogs in Congress on doing this is yet another proof that they do not care for our laws, our democracy and the real sentiments and needs of our people," Tindig Pilipinas stressed as it called on Filipinos to resist what it called "creeping fascism" on all fronts.

"The extension of martial law in Mindanao is but one facet of an emerging dictatorship," it said.


Source: Philstar | GMA Network