There will be no nationwide declaration of martial law, President Rodrigo Duterte said Tuesday as he justified his recent order to deploy additional troops to several parts of the Philippines.
In a briefing after the inauguration of the Bohol-Panglao International Airport, Duterte denied that his Memorandum Order 32 was a prelude to martial law or the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus.
“You’re all interested to know if I’m going to declare martial law. No, I am not going to declare martial law. There are enough powers of the Presidency that I can use,” Duterte told reporters.
He made the remark after critics, including some legislators from the Makabayan bloc, suspected that his memorandum, which ordered the deployment of military and police forces to the Bicol, Samar and Negros to suppress “sporadic acts of violence” was the Duterte administration’s next step toward its supposed plan to put the country under martial rule.
Malacañang had previously denied this accusation, saying should there be an intention to declare martial law nationwide, it would have been implemented already.
But Duterte said there was a possibility of declaring martial law if there was “widespread violence” in the country.
“Well, if there’s really a widespread violence then maybe [I will declare it]. But I do not need really violence in every corner of the Philippines to say that we are in danger,” Duterte said.
“But like the one in the office, they are working for the people. I will do what is necessary to preserve this nation and to protect the people, that is my oath of office.”
Duterte said he issued the order after a series of armed encounters and ambush incidents that his troops had suffered from lawless groups.
“There are so many encounters there and I’m losing a lot of soldiers and policemen, ambuscades, and everything. You place troops where you think you need an added force.
“I’m surprised why you [media] are so interested about deployment when I’m supposed to take care of the security of the country.”
Duterte said no additional places would be added to the list of areas with increased presence of troops at the moment.
But he vowed to send an entire division of soldiers to guard the conflict-torn areas near Sabah.
“There will be a division size. I will really place an entire division. Not only a company, not only a battalion, not a regiment, but I’m going to place an entire division for the islands there towards Sabah,” Duterte said.
