The Commission on Human Rights is firm in its position that our security sector, the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines combined, can address acts of lawlessness without the need for martial law. The said declaration is an extraordinary measure that the 1987 Constitution prescribes as reserved only to instances of actual invasion and rebellion. Martial law is never meant to be the status quo.

The Commission equally stresses the need to address reports of human rights violations on the ground by actively investigating such claims, and not merely highlighting assertions of its success. If we are to bring peace to Mindanao, it has to be inclusive and durable—not at the expense of others and their rights.