“It is impossible for us to break a law, we can only break ourselves against the law.” –Cecile B. DeMille

Please spare the Visayas.
In his arrival speech from Russia on May 24, President Rodrigo Duterte hinted, if warranted, he may also declare Martial Law in the Visayas.
Duterte’s statement came hours after he signed a document placing the entirety of Mindanao under Martial Law, after a band of terrorists belonging to the Maute Group rolled over Marawi City and killed scores of unarmed civilians and cops and damaged government property on May 23.
They also took a priest and several others hostage as they fled the carnage.
The blitzkrieg caught both the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) by surprise.
While many groups, including experts and both military and civilian leaders, supported Duterte’s order in Mindanao, we doubt he can gather the same sentiment once he includes the Visayas if the Maute Group is not annihilated in Mindanao.

Enter
The only time that a terror group entered the Visayas was during the Holy Week, in April of this year, when Abu Sayyaf bandits sneaked into Bohol, only to be demolished by the government’s superior forces before they could inflict mayhem on civilians.
There was no need for the president to declare Martial Law to nip Abu Sayyaf in the bud during that bloody raid.
Tourism and economy will be badly affected if the Visayas is placed under Martial Law. All the efforts and sacrifices undertaken by our tourism and economic officials these past months will go to waste once military rule is established in the Visayas, albeit temporarily.
Martial Law in Mindanao is only for 60 days, Duterte asserted, but it could last until the end of his term as president.

Military
Investors are not comfortable with a military rule and tourists will shy away from our country in general. In a language understood by ordinary civilians, Martial Law is synonymous with violence. It also means curtailment of basic rights.
Authorities will, of course, argue Martial Law is necessary in order to protect the state; or, the interests of the state will always be paramount over the interest of individuals.
If Martial Law is “good: for Mindanao in order to restore peace and order and stop all potential terrorist activities by Maute or any Islamic rebellious group, it may be a bane for Visayas, Luzon, and the entire country in general.
Duterte’s national security advisers must evaluate and reevaluate the situation thoroughly before making drastic military decisions for the Visayas and Luzon. Congress must also do its share and utilize its constitutionally-mandated powers to help guide the President on this crucial matter. /WDJ