Leonen insists that Marawi situation Terrorism, not Rebellion

Supreme Court Associate Justice Marvic Leonen stands firm in insisting that the crisis in Marawi that has led to the declaration of martial law across all of Mindanao cannot sufficiently be considered a rebellion.

As stated in his opinion released by the Supreme Court Wednesday evening, Leonen says the lives of those who have perished in Marawi need to be honored by calling the enemy as terrorists capable of committing atrocious acts, as opposed to merely being called rebels.

The Associate Justice proceeds to claim that the Maute group in Marawi do not desire a good political alternative acceptable in any of our societies, and now that their plans have been disrupted, "they are reduced to a fighting force violently trying to escape. They are not a rebel group than can hope to achieve and hold any ground."

Leonen also vehemently believes that martial law "creates a false sense of security."

"Terrorism cannot be rooted out with military force alone. Military rule, authoritarianism, and an iron hand do not substitute for precision, sophistication, and professionalism in our law enforcement. The false sense of security will disappoint. It is that disappointment that will foster the creation of more terrorists and more chaos," Leonen insists.

The Supreme Court Associate Justice gave this opinion after Tuesday's en banc session, where the consolidated petitions against the imposition of martial law in Mindanao were voted for dismissal by 11 justices. Only Leonen challenged and later voted for the junking of Proclamation 216 (the declaration of martial law in Mindanao).  Meanwhile, three magistrates believed that the coverage of martial law should only be limited to some areas. They were Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, Associate Justice Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa, as well as Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno.

How about you, readers? What's your take on the argument that martial law is unnecessary because the perpetrators are terrorists instead of rebels? Let your voice be heard in the comments below!