FILE PHOTO: Government soldiers based in Marawi CIty
MANILA, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte allayed fears on the possibility of him declaring a nationwide martial law.
In his speech at a press briefing Thursday night at the Mactan Cebu International Airport in Lapu-Lapu City, the Chief Executive said a nationwide martial law will not work in the Philippines.
“No. Martial law is not feasible. It won’t work. It won’t work. First of all, it’s going to be a divided nation,” the President said.
The issue stemmed from the remarks he made after arriving from an official visit to South Kore, saying he would implement a “radical change” in the coming days particularly in the issue of public order and security.
However, President Duterte assured that despite the existing implementation of martial law in Mindanao, he will not tolerate any form of abuse or oppression.
Currently, a state of national emergency is still in effect since its declaration on September 4, 2016 following the Davao city bombing.
The President added that his cleansing of the Philippine National Police (PNP) will continue.
He also scored against local government units who were not doing their jobs to resolve the problem of criminality and illegal drugs in their jurisdictions.
“I will live first with the government. I have to fix the PNP…masyado ang (there is too much) corruption. Then I will deal with the local governments lalo na iyang (particularly) complacency and the nonchalant attitude towards the problem of criminality,” he stressed.
In the next Cabinet meeting and command conference, the President vows to disclose the problematic agencies which he wants to be placed directly under his watch.
Meanwhile, President Duterte hit back at former Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno who alleged that the President’s anti-corruption campaign of firing then reappointing officials is just a gimmick.
“Ako, I place people to their appropriate capacity. Now it doesn’t mean that I transfer you from one another — it might be a revamp. Pero (But) it does not mean to say na may kasalanan ka (that you did something wrong)…Now that she is out, she is full of adjectives and gimmickry…I don’t believe her. And I don’t respect her also. Puro gimmick eh (She’s full of gimmicks). Siya ‘yung gumi-gimmick, kami ‘yung nagtatrabaho (She’s doing gimmicks while we’re busy working),” the President concluded. – Rosalie Coz / Marje Pelayo
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