Image Source
Sparked by the terrorist act of the local ISIS subgroup called Maute in the Islamic City of Marawi, Philippines, martial law was lifted in 2017 but has still been taking effect in the present day. The Philippine administration is asserting its power in extending the law one more year since the terrorists have not yet given up their stronghold on the island. On the other side, fear is rising up among the people living in Mindanao and other parts of the country. The people worry that it might become nationwide and what happened during the Martial Law of late President Marcos in the 80s and the devastating era of democracy in the Philippines will be repeated.
While the government is proudly announcing to the public the goodness of the martial rule, military and police forces are committing atrocities against the people of Marawi City, indigenous peoples in the other part of Mindanao or the Lumads, and the farmers living in the countryside. Rape cases have also been reported. Although it's not been proven, military officials are the main suspects. Tragically, most of the women caught sharing their story with the media were later abducted and tortured. According to the military office, it was all done by the Maute terrorist group.
There are also problems on the other part of Mindanao. Since they had just proclaimed the rebellion as terrorists rather than just being rebels, many upland people are being mistakingly linked to the rebel group targeted by the government and the communist insurgency. The group is now equated with the local ISIS group. Akin to the other atrocities, these Lumads and farmers are being displaced or killed and tagged later as members of the so-called terrorist group.
Image Source
People in the urban areas can hardly bear to witness these things, so the media is warned not to expose them. Many progressive news presses have already been banned from publishing news and articles tackling about these atrocities. An example was that of a news station in Davao City, Philippines where they used to air news about the displacement of the indigenous people in the countryside by military men for corporate expansion, including mining businesses and logging. Anyway, these activities have already been there before the martial law. It is just that the martial rule is cleaning the pathways of these companies for them to enter the communities more easily. Interested corporations have just taken advantage of the law so that they can exploit land resources in the areas while the settlers are moving out due to militarization.
The government seems to be enjoying this. It has many supporters to which many netizens call the ìDutertardsî or plainly the Duterte supporters. The ìtardsî comes from "retard" that when summed up with Duterte, it would mean retarded with Duterteís belief of social salvation. They even call themselves revolutionaries, overthrowing elite rule in the society, martial law is their answer.
While it is not wrong to remove these elite leaders and their political dynasties to solve corruption and other deep-seated dirt in the government. The martial law seems to be misused when it is utilized as the solution for the social problems faced by the country. Remember that it will only take one side to overpower others, making it believed to be the truth and the only truth while putting chains on those suffering from this planned hegemony in the government.
Would this version of the martial law change the perspective of the people about true democracy? It seems to be a ridiculous mixing of these two systems in solving social crises of the country. Putting up military personnel in the oneís backyard can only create fear. Of course, these armed men would think they are mighty with their guns. They believe it is okay to shoot a person and later calls the body a death of a rebel or terrorist, whether it is true or not. When someone is alleged with murder, it is just easy to kill him or her without due process, regardless of lack of evidence. Furthermore, when an army mistakenly shoots an innocent person, they can just apologize, and it's forgotten about the following day.
Image Source
It can only be said that once a teenager is caught fooling around during curfew hours, he or she can just easily be tortured behind bars. Once mistakenly killed, the police officer could just say to the public that this individual fought back when harmlessly picked up on a street, or they could say that the person is a killer or a terrorist.
Could the government promote social justice amidst the presence of the martial law? Can the people assure the politeness of its armed forces in dealing with troubles when they are given immunity to kill? Could the law assure the protection of any citizen with due process? These are the questions missing from the mouths of the people. How can the media air the news about the misdeeds of the martial rule when it is being censored by the government? How can the people know the real scenario clearly? According to the latest Pulse Asia Survey, Duterte received high satisfaction rating.
How about the current situation of the indigenous people in Mindanao? They are being displaced from their communities. Their tribal leaders were abducted, and some others are hiding. They are touted as members of the communist insurgency. No matter how many times they defend the truth that they are innocent, the government does not listen. Displaced Marawi people during the attack of the local ISIS group may have already been given decent relocation sites, and those rape cases committed by military officials seem to be already forgotten. Where is justice in this situation? Rich people may not witness these acts as they are respected by the martial law. However, those who are defenseless are crying for just a little sense of justice and equality.
Image Source
References:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proclamation_No._216
http://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2017/11/duterte-lifting-martial-law-in-mindanao-depends-on-military-police/