Former Commision on Human Rights (CHR) Chairperson Etta Rosales and Former Solicitor General Florin Hilbay filed a petition before the Supreme Court questioning the one-year extension of martial law in Mindanao.
They named as respondents President Rodrigo Duterte, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Rey Guererro, Senate President Koko Pimentel and House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez.
Rosales says, they stated in the petition that threat of rebellion alone cannot be used as justification to continue the implementation of martial law in the south.
She also says, the attacks from the New People's Army (NPA) cannot be described as a revolution or invasion that may give government reason to retain martial law.
Rosales is concerned, government may also use this line of reasoning to later on declare martial law in other areas in the country where the NPAs are operating.
The document is the fourth petition filed in the high tribunal against the martial rule.
In a press briefing in Bukidnon, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque says, Malacañang welcomes the filing of the case.
He says, the solicitor general can very ably provide the Supreme Court the factual and legal basis for prolonging martial law in Mindanao.