Martial law alone cannot solve problems in southern Philippines

President Rodrigo Duterte must tackle the decades-old neglect of Muslim-majority areas and bring all sides to the negotiating table

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A rescuer (L) helps a child and others evacuate from their homes in a village on the outskirts of Marawi on the southern island of Mindanao on May 31, 2017, as fighting between government forces and Islamist militants continues. Philippine troops have killed 89 Islamist militants during more than a week of urban battles but a final showdown is expected to be fierce as the gunmen protect their leaders and hold hostages, authorities said on May 31. Photo: AFP

Published: 1:30am, 1 Jun 2017Updated: 11:47pm, 6 Jul 2017

The Philippines’ constitution allows the country’s leader to declare martial law in only two circumstances: invasion and rebellion. President Rodrigo Duterte pointed to the latter when putting all of the southern island of Mindanao under military rule to fight Muslim extremists who claim links to Islamic State. He has threatened the measure nationwide should the menace widen. But with the action reminding of the dark era of dictator Ferdinand Marcos’ rule, it should be used when absolutely justified and for only as long as is necessary, as with the battle to seize back the city of Marawi.

There should be no disputing that the overrunning of the city of 200,000 people by heavily armed militants was a justified circumstance for military rule. Any extension of the maximum 60-day order can only be approved by lawmakers. Tough action was needed; fighting that had been raging for months in the countryside spread to urban areas and in the past week, dozens have been killed, civilians captured and as much as 90 per cent of the population forced to flee. The army has reportedly used the imposition of curfews and powers to search and arrest without court approval to great effect and only pockets held by the militants now need to be recaptured. Yet while Duterte’s supporters say those involved are rebels, his critics contend they are merely criminal gangs.

Filipino activists hold slogans opposing the recent declaration of martial law in Mindanao during a rally outside the House of Representatives in Quezon city, metropolitan Manila, Philippines on Wednesday May 31, 2017. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte declared martial law in the south through mid-July, but lawmakers had asked for a public session of Congress to determine whether it is still necessary. Photo: AP

Muslim-majority southern provinces of the Catholic-dominated nation have for decades been neglected and mismanaged by Manila, to the point that poverty is rife and there is a strong sense of injustice. The rise of extremist groups seeking independence or self-rule has been a by-product, leading to decades of extremism, including kidnapping, murder and terrorism. To attain their goals, militants have reached out to like-minded Muslim extremists for support.