Much has been said about martial law and its extension: (1) “an authoritarian rule under the guise of the protective mantle of constitutional sanction”; (2) “Mr. Duterte’s evil plan of domination”; and (3) “breeding ground of evils and abuses.”
People always tend to correlate Mr. Duterte’s Proclamation No. 216 with the one promulgated by Ferdinand Marcos. But what these detractors don’t realize is the factual milieu that sets apart the current martial rule from the other one—actual grave crisis and public necessity.
No matter what they say, nothing can change the fact that enemy forces have been diminished and the lawlessness and violence are now being contained and exterminated because of the enhanced military operations under martial rule. To date, AFP troops are only one square kilometer away from redeeming Marawi from the hands of the rebel groups and terrorists. We also have an increasing number of neutralized militants, which, if I’m not mistaken, now adds up to 411 combatants.
If only the people don’t turn a blind eye to the fact that our country is facing something grave that could eradicate our meek archipelago from the map of peace and prosperity, they will understand the wisdom behind President Duterte’s decision to put martial law to operative existence. However, they continue reacting and acting upon the imaginary and alleged evils of martial rule, the existence of which they themselves cannot substantiate.
Every step and measure they pursue that meddles with the affairs of the administration, the military and other security forces bring the Philippines closer to becoming a militant and terrorist hub in Southeast Asia. Every interference they devise in order to prevent responsive measures, such as an extension of martial law, bolsters the confidence of the enemies and other similar lawless elements to prey on our country and consume whatever our peace-loving fellowmen have — up to the last bit.
RICA BULALACAO, rmbulalacao@yahoo.com