By Rommel G. Rebollido
Contributor
GENERAL SANTOS City — The declaration of martial law startled residents here, even as authorities said the wisdom behind the declaration may not yet be understood by many residents, particularly businessmen who feared this might take toll on their businesses.
Businessman Raymund Salangsang, an officer of the General Santos City Chamber of Commerce, said the declaration may send wrong signals to businessmen and investors and have drastic effects on the local business climate.
“There may be those who will hold in abeyance or stop new investments and possible business expansions with the declaration,” he said.
Several students also expressed concern about the possible return of abuses during the Marcos martial law regime, when activists were known to have been rounded-up, jailed and tortured.
Angelica Suscano, a student of Villamor College, said martial law is prone to abuses by those in positions in government. “Note that there are already abusive government personnel even when there was no martial law yet,” she remarked.
Samson Gillon, a driver by profession and who experienced being maltreated during the Marcos martial law, said he expects a “kinder version” this time because “soldiers now are more educated than before.”
He recalled that soldiers in the past were just picked from the streets and hauled to military camps to be trained and become instant soldiers. They were so abusive then, he added.
Lawyer Froebel Kan Balleque, said he does not see any danger to his profession being sidelined, saying martial law does not suspend the operation of the Constitution nor does it supplant the function of the civil courts.
He explained that as guaranteed by the Constitution, the suspension of the Writ applies only to persons “judicially charged” within three days.
As this developed, General Santos Mayor Ronnel Rivera assured residents of tighter security amid worries by local residents of a spill over of the clashes in Marawi, which is about ten-hour ride north of this city.
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