Pelaez hits move for warrantless arrests

By NITZ ARANCON

Correspondent

MISAMIS Oriental Vice Gov. Jose Mari Pelaez yesterday expressed his strong opposition to Sen. Richard Gordon’s proposal for President Duterte to allow warrantless arrests in his war on illegal drugs.

Pelaez said a suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus would be like declaring martial law.

He categorically said, “I’m against the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus. That’s martial law all over again. We should observe due process at all times as enshrined in the Bill of Rights of our Constitution.”

Gordon earlier said he would author a Senate resolution that would give Duterte emergency powers so he could be effective in his campaign against illegal drugs. He said the emergency powers would include allowing Duterte to suspend the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus, a civil right for the protection of a person against illegal imprisonment.

Pelaez found an ally in Cagayan de Oro Rep. Maximo Rodriguez Jr. who frowned over Gordon’s proposal.

“I don’t agree with [the proposal for] the suspension of the writ by the President,”  said Rodriguez.

But Rodriguez did not elaborate or explain why he was against the senator’s proposal.

Misamis Oriental Gov. Yevgeny Vincente Emano declined to say what his position was.

“I will read the proposal first,”  Emano said.

But the militant group Bayan Muna in northern Mindanao called Gordon’s proposal a “bad suggestion.”

Wildon Barros, Bayan Muna spokesman for Region 10, said suspending the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus would make citizens susceptible to human rights abuses.

“Pwedi kini gamiton sa na-a karon sa gahum aron i-pin down ang ilang kontra   bisan walay tin-aw nga    kasal-anan,” Barros said.

He also lashed out at President Duterte, calling him as someone who easily changes his mind.

“Wala puy klarong    baruganan si Digong. Paling-paling. Gi-criticize niya si US President Obama,  pero nangayo ra pod dayon   siya ug pasaylo. Iya pud    gi-criticize ang progressive group in front of landlords and capitalists. Pero iya pod nga gi-criticize ang capitalist in front of progressive groups,” Barros said.