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Wednesday, December 14, 2005
Nalzaro: Martial law for Cebu
By Bobby Nalzaro
Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña was ill advised when he told reporters recently that he wants Cebu placed under martial law when it hosts the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) summit next year.
Osmeña, together with some of Metro Cebu's chief executives and congressmen, are with President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's delegation in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia for the two-day 11th Asean summit. They went there to observe Malaysia’s hosting of the event, which is attended by heads of states of Asean member nations.
Unlike in the recently concluded Southeast Asian Games wherein we only played host to some sporting events, Cebu will be at the center of the stage during the Asean summit.
While the national government may be in the frontline of the preparations for the summit, local government units in Metro Cebu, especially Cebu City, will be playing a crucial role. Security matters will therefore be a nightmare for our local officials and other authorities. That is why Mayor Osmeña is thinking of placing Cebu under martial law for the duration of the event.
But whoever advised the mayor about it must have a problematic mind. Or if the idea personally came from the mayor, I think he should reconsider it. I mean that's a crazy idea.
I don't know what got into the mayor when he brought up the matter in one of his press conferences. And I don't have to remind him of the implications of the plan. He has more experience than me because I was still in short pants when then strongman Ferdinand Marcos declared martial law on Sept. 21, 1972.
The Osmeñas were victims of Marcos’ military rule. Now, Tommy wants to impose martial law here?
Section 17, Article 7 of the 1987 Constitution states:
“The President shall be the commander in chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and whenever it becomes necessary, he may call out such armed forces to prevent or suppress lawless violence, invasion or rebellion. In case of invasion and rebellion, when the public safety requires it, he may, for a period not exceeding sixty days, suspend the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus or place the Philippines or any part thereof under Martial Law.”
Based on this provision, can Osmeña persuade our national political leaders to impose martial law here in Cebu for the duration of the Asean summit just because he wants to secure the visiting heads of states?
I agree that the safety of foreign dignitaries is a primordial concern because whatever will happen to them here would be a big blow to the country's peace and order. But just because we want these heads of states secured does not mean we are going to place Cebu under military rule.
The mayor must be hallucinating.
(bgnalzaro@gmanetwork.com)
(December 14, 2005 issue)
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