Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — President Rodrigo Duterte said Tuesday night that martial law could be a back-up plan to address worsening violence in the country.
“I am not a fan of martial law,” Duterte told reporters at an informal discussion in the presidential palace. “Natakot yung mga tao sa martial law [People became afraid of martial law]. But if ever, martial law is a contingency to meet widespread violence. Mindanao is in the state of rebellion,” he said.
Duterte threatened to suspend the writ of habeas corpus in a speech in Davao City last week, also citing lawless violence nationwide. Suspending the constitutional privilege would allow warrantless arrests of those involved in rebellion.
Read: Duterte warns of suspension of writ of habeas corpus
The President also said on Monday that terrorists in Sulu were “kidnapping people almost every day,” bringing shame to the country.
Read: Duterte: There is a very strong rebellion in Mindanao
No imminent martial law declaration
Meanwhile, Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said at a press briefing in Malacañang on Wednesday there is no imminent plan to declare martial law.
“The statement that he made really comes from the fact that he’s underlining the apparent impunities, especially in certain areas of Mindanao,” he said.
“So basically, what he was doing is that should this escalate and the conditions are set, then he could (declare martial law). But this is simply a warning and that it is just a possibility,” he added.
The Constitution states that the President can only declare martial law for up to 60 days. After 48 hours, the President must submit a report to Congress, which would decide whether to extend or revoke the declaration.
If Congress revokes the declaration, the President must comply.
President Ferdinand Marcos placed the entire country under martial law in 1972 because of widespread lawlessness. While some said martial law led to economic progress, the period was also marred by corruption and alleged human rights violations.
Related: Martial Law victims: Never forget
Trillanes questions anti-criminality campaign
Meanwhile, Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, a strong critic of the President, questioned the effectiveness of the President’s campaign to eradicate drugs and crime.
“Akala ko ba three to six months lang, kaya niya nang tapusin ang drug problem or else magre-resign siya?” [I thought within three to six months, the President could eliminate the drug problem or else he would resign?], Trillanes said in a statement.
“Tapos ngayon, kailangan na mag-martial law? Anyare? Nag-supermoon?” [But now, he needs to declare martial law? What happened? Did it become a supermoon?], he said, referring to the Monday night phenomenon where the moon appeared larger than normal because it was at its closest to the Earth.
