WE have experienced once more the intoxicating effect of
power. Martial law was declared in Mindanao last May 23 in Mindanao due to the
Marawi debacle. It was extended by congress till December 31 on July 22, now
with the excuse that the situation cannot be controlled without extraordinary
powers.
Today December 14, it is again extended by the same subservient
congress for one full year. Once one has
tasted power, it is hard to say it is enough. This is true for Duterte, this
is true for the police and this is true for the armed forces. Even if congress
has extended it – does this make it right? Martial law is supposedly an answer
to an extraordinary situation, like the case of rebellion. With this extension
– and for one year! – are we making the extraordinary situation ordinary? Can
the police and the AFP not address the situation with the ordinary powers that
they have? Or is martial law now being used as a tool to oppress dissent, and
not even dissent – just divergent views?
It cannot be said that because we are not from the military,
the people can no longer know what is happening in the country. It cannot be
said that because we are not from Mindanao we can no longer speak about what is
happening in Mindanao. Suppression of the rights of a part of the people is
suppression of the rights of all. We cannot remain silent in front of the
machinations of congress who are acting not as representatives of the people
but representatives of the one in power. Congress can no longer be trusted that
they serve the interest of the people. They give a veneer of legality to
martial law but they are making the
abnormal normal, the extraordinary ordinary!
Not only that! This extension of Martial Law is conditioning
the minds of our people that Martial Law is alright, that it is normal. Authoritarianism is creeping
surreptitiousness among us – unless we react, and say teka…kailangan ba
talaga natin iyan? Can our police and AFP not maintain peace and order with the
normal mandates of civil law? Do they need extra powers to do their job? But
they have been set up and are supported by the people to do their job not with
extraordinary powers but with the ordinary powers of the law.
Now that Duterte has tasted support from the subservient
congress, he is boasting again. It can be done all over the country. All the
cards are on the table! He can declare Martial Law all over the whole country. This
is what we get when we toy with power. One is never contented with enough
power. It gobbles more power – unless people stand up and voice out – it is
enough! This not right! Tama na! Sobra na!
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