Duterte not planning to declare martial law —Abella

Amid speculation otherwise, President Rodrigo Duterte is not planning to declare nationwide martial law, presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella said on Thursday.

“Kung sinasabing pinaplano ang martial law, hindi po,” Abella said in an interview with Unang Balita, addressing talks of a repeat of the now-45-year-old declaration.

“Again and again, inuulit niya, hindi 'yan ang patutunguhan natin. Only ang sinabi lang, he's allowing for the protest 'wag lang malaglag sa violence and destruction of property in which case the response will be firm,” Abella said.

Duterte has earlier allowed the protests, even declaring September 21 as a National Day for Protest, as long as these do not turn violent and destructive.

Abella underscored Duterte's stance to be inclusive.

“Simula’t sapul, the President has tried to reach out to just about everybody, left and right,” Abella said, citing Duterte’s “rainbow-colored” cabinet, which comprises members from the political left and right.

"Simula't sapul, the President has been very very inclusive, and one thing he [wants is] a comfortable life for all. In other words, damang-dama po ng Presidente ang hinaing ng tao and again and again he's against corruption, crime, and 'yung pag-aabuso," Abella added.

But despite the President’s “openness” to the protests, the National Parks Development Committee (NPDC) apparently tried to “limit” the protesters’ area to an “insignificant portion in Luneta,” the Movement Against Tyranny (MAT) said in a statement.

MAT said NPDC “assigned” them at the Lapu-Lapu Monument, a space MAT claims is not large enough to hold the tens of thousands of expected protesters.

Burnham Green in Luneta, a much larger space that can hold up to 100,000 people, was assigned to a feeding program of the Lions Club, which is expecting only 2,000 participants.

MAT’s statement further said Lions Club officials will abide by the NPDC’s decision, and maintained they are trying to ensure protesters are not prevented from gathering on Thursday.

Abella said the news has not reached his desk, but said the matter was a “question of perception." Prior to this, a nationwide earthquake drill was scheduled on September 21 but later canceled, prompting protesters to wonder if the government is doing it "on purpose."

Abella said the issue must be viewed depending on Duterte's actions: He has allowed for a nationwide day of protest, after all.

“On the question of one-man rule, the President is very firm: He allows discourse, he allows 'yung iba-ibang opinyon, and I believe he’s quite inclusive,” he said.

Abella added that although no official meetings have been set for Thursday, the President will be “busy.” —Nicole-Anne Lagrimas/KG, GMA News