What do you think of martial law?
Netizens have both positive and negative reactions to President Rodrigo Duterte’s declaration of Martial Law in Mindanao after the conflict between government troops and the Maute group erupted in Marawi City.
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Some feared the declaration.
A sudden announcement of Martial Law is triggering me. I'm scared to death. I don't k ow how this thing happens please #PrayForTheWholeWorld
— infires.men (@unnieDarlene) May 23, 2017
#Duterte's brand of justice: Vigilante Justice; his Rule of Law: Martial Law. He's a signature away from becoming a full-fledged dictator!😡😤
— Francis B. Baraan (@MrFrankBaraan) May 14, 2017
Martial Law, revised or not, has NEVER been for the people.
— fr e sh a voca do (@caylfranco) May 23, 2017
Others expressed their trust in Duterte.
Martial law was made for situations like these. Let's just hope that this declaration will help diminish the situation in Marawi.
— Patricia (@_patriciaparas_) May 23, 2017
Pls lang. Martial Law is not a bad thing. This is a time of crisis.
— Julyanne Lomocso (@yanneeee) May 23, 2017
And there are those who said that martial law is good.
Martial law is a good move. I can see no other ways to resolve terrorism here in Mindanao.
— Mike Saavedra (@ItsMikeSaavedra) May 24, 2017
So sad to see hundreds of idiots running and shouting around claiming Martial Law is not good.
— Royalty (@ICONic_Rhea101) May 26, 2017
Martial law is good for Mindanao and we respect the decision of our President, so why #RejectMartialLaw you hypocrite!!!
— Maria Lopez (@mardielop) May 25, 2017
Martial law is a good thing? right?
— GomBurZaBelciña (@heeyyyaaaaaaa) May 23, 2017
Even President Duterte himself said that martial law is indeed good, after saying that his Martial Law will be similar to that of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos.’
Duterte: Marcos' martial law was very good. Related story: https://t.co/o7o6KFESxn pic.twitter.com/gWyFFXqfka
— Rappler (@rapplerdotcom) May 24, 2017
However, Facebook user Boggs Talpis Tanggol said that those who only speak positively of martial law may only be speaking in that way because of their “privileged position.”
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He cautioned everyone about speaking “for the entirely of Mindanao,” assuming that such opinion “ring true for all.” He added that we should all “consider the plight of others.”
Tanggol, who identified himself as a Mindanaoan, Muslim, Moro, and Lumad, said that he was born with privileges so his view on things may be different from the view of other people who are worse off than he is.
He addressed concerns about IDs from the perspective of residents living in far-flung areas who don’t have IDs, or even a birth certificate.
He talked about how some people say they don’t have to worry about martial law because they are law-abiding citizens when others who belong to a certain ethnicity, religion or location that may easily be discriminated against.
Checkpoints? Tanggol reminded everyone about those who “do not have the benefit of an education” and who might not be able to know and defend their rights or have access to people who can help them do so.
And of course, he talked about how martial law history was riddled with abuses and excesses from the military, putting the vulnerable ones at risk.
Those who don’t imagine themselves in the groups of people he mentioned above are those whom he described as people who are “not as deeply grounded on realities.”
“Just because you’re not vulnerable does not mean you should not worry about those who are most vulnerable. And no, being a Mindanaoan does not qualify you as one of the most vulnerable. (Otherwise, how would you be able to take selfies with the soldiers or tanks),” Tanggol said.
He noted that more than wishing for the government to succeed, we should also keep it in check.
“When excesses are not only possible but also probable, it’s best to be vigilant and err on the side of caution,” Tanggol said.
“So before you speak, please, check your privilege,” he added.
Sources: ( rappler.com )
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