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| President Rodrigo Duterte photo by Philstar (ctto) |
Manila, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte may declare martial
law in Negros Oriental, upon the recommendation of the Armed Forces of the
Philippines (AFP) due to the rise in the number of killings in the province.
“Certainly. He always follows the advice of
those people in the know,” Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said
on Thursday to reporters.
Panelo added that the President was furious on the recent
attacks and killings allegedly perpetrated by members of the New People’s Army
in Negros Oriental.
“Grabe na ang patayan dun. We have a barangay
captain, a municipal mayor, four policemen, and a lawyer. The President does
not want this to happen. He wants it stopped. The only way to do that is to use
his emergency powers,” Panelo added.
The same fate also happened in Mindanao, when the
chief executive declared martial law after the attempted Islamic State-inspired
Maute Group’s siege of Marawi City last May 2017.
Panelo who also happens to be the chief legal
counsel of President Duterte added, as the chief executive of the country, the
President has the option to declare martial law only in Negros Oriental.
“The Constitution says you can declare martial law in the entire country
or parts thereof.” He added.
The chief legal counsel added that the President would invoke
emergency power if really needed, “He has
many options under the Constitution. He can call the Armed Forces to quell
lawless violence, he can declare martial law.”
Source: Politiko
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