President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday threatened to declare a “state of national emergency,” saying too many crimes were holding back foreign investments.
“I am warning the criminals, everybody, whether in the government or outside. I will make radical changes in the days to come,” Duterte said in a news conference shortly after he arrived from Seoul for an official visit.
“There’s no difference actually between martial law and a declaration of national emergency. So I’ve been warning all. I’m warning all including the human rights, it’s either we behave or we will have a serious problem again,” he added.
He said most foreign companies did not want to come to the Philippines because they were concerned about kidnappings and killings—but did not elaborate.
“Well, somehow, even with this meager emergency power, I will use it to the hilt to put things in order,” Duterte said.
He also warned erring government agencies that he could not control that they would be placed under the Office of the President.
“I’m the one you’ll have to face every day,” he added in Filipino.
“For those offices na hindi talaga ma-control, I will place you under the Office of the President. Ako na mismo ang kaharap mo araw-araw,” he added. With PNA