Philippine Standard Time:

Sunday, June 15, 2025 - 4:07 AM

  1. Home
  2. Statements
  3. Press Statement
  4. Press Release of the Commission on Human Rights On the Statement of Presidential Spokesman Ernesto…

Statement of CHR spokesperson, Atty Jacqueline Ann de Guia, on the possibility of extending martial law in aid of election and plebiscite in Mindanao

The Commission on Human Rights recognises that peace and order are necessary conditions for the conduct of any political exercise, such as elections and even the expected plebiscite, anywhere in the country. The martial law declaration in Mindanao, however, was primarily justified to address claimed terrorist threats following the siege in Marawi City. We agree with Armed Forces chief General Carlito Galvez that, at this point, it is premature to recommend the extension of martial law.

There is a need for a thorough assessment of its effectiveness and a clear response to alleged cases of human rights violations, including the continuing condition of internal displacement in the region. There is a need to be cautious of compounding justifications for its extension, considering that a state of national emergency on account of lawless violence was also declared in Mindanao prior to the martial law declaration. We trust in the capacity of our security forces in addressing lawlessness and threats of violence without martial law, especially in making all perpetrators, including terrorists, accountable for their crimes.

Related Post

Other Stories

The Commission on Human Rights lauds the Sulu Provincial Task Force on Ending Local Armed Conflict (PTF-ELAC) for the extensive rehabilitation of a former battleground of state and non-state armed groups to enable the safe return of residents 20 years

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) recognizes the efforts of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the created technical working group, and its partner agencies in ensuring the timely completion of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) condemns the violent attack against Atty. Hamilcar Bigornia, Abra Chapter President of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, on 29 January 2023 inside his law office. His aide was also repeatedly stabbed during the

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) recognises the equally pressing impact of the pandemic to the economy and how its effects inevitably lead to the discussion on employees’ welfare. We welcome the issuance of the Labor Advisory No. 1, s.2022

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) welcomes Executive Order (EO) No. 51, series of 2023, creating the special committee on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual (LGBTQIA+) affairs. According to the EO, the creation of the Special Committee

On Sunday, 7 June 2020, the Philippines woke up to a number of dummy accounts created from original profiles on social media site Facebook. Journalists, students, and ordinary citizens were subjects of this unexpected trend. Some of the said dummy