Majority Opinion:

Under the Constitution, the President may place a part or the whole Philippines under martial
law to prevent or suppress rebellion. President Duterte declared martial law in the whole of
Mindanao. This was to counter the Maute terrorist group’s attack in Marawi City and their
raising of the ISIS flag. Are terrorism acts tantamount to actual rebellion? Can terrorism acts
serve as factual basis in a martial law declaration?

Dissenting Opinion:
The Constitution provides that the President may place a part or the whole Philippines under
martial law to prevent or suppress rebellion. President Duterte declared martial law in the whole
of Mindanao as an immediate response to the Maute terrorist group’s attack in Marawi City. Can
the Maute group be considered as a rebel group? Is a martial law declaration a constitutionally
allowed solution to terrorism?