THE spokesperson of the Diocese of Bacolod has expressed that it is premature to suspend the writ of habeas corpus in the Visayas as earlier hinted by President Rodrigo Duterte.
Reverend Father Jonas Sumagaysay said the people should show vigilance, adding that the Visayas, including Negros, is not that vulnerable yet to atrocities perpetrated by the Maute group in Marawi City.
“Our situation is still normal. There is no basis yet of any invasion as of now,” Sumagaysay added.
The Constitution provides that the government can arrest any individual without charges or trial, if the writ of habeas corpus has been suspended.
Former Negros Occidental governor Rafael Coscolluela said: “If there are valid reasons for declaring martial law or suspending the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus, there is a constitutionally mandated process that should be followed. For now, I do not see any verifiable or urgent reason for martial law outside of Mindanao.”
“We just call on all citizens to be vigilant and to report unusual or suspicious circumstances such as presence of armed groups landing on our shores, or moving about during odd hours,” he added.
Abang Lingkod partylist Representative Stephen Paduano said there is no certainty yet if the President will extend suspension of habeas corpus to the Visayas.
“There must be a legal basis if he will do that. For now, he does see any reason at all,” Paduano added.
Paduano said most of the lawmakers from Mindanao voted to support of the declaration of martial law.
“We have no moral authority to go against them because they know better the situation in Mindanao,” he said.
Bacolod City Councilor Em Ang said: “With the way martial law has been implemented (in contravention of the constitutional safeguards), I cannot support it.”
“It can be confusing how some legislators talk about martial law in a way that would seem that there are some aspects of it that they do not intend to follow,” she added. “Unless there is a clear showing of need in the Visayas then it should not be extended here.”