Palace: Series of killings of local exec not a ground to impose nationwide martial law

Malacañang on Monday dismissed speculations that President Rodrigo Duterte may use the recent killings of local executives as ground to put the entire country under martial law.

At a news conference, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque took exception to the claim of opposition Liberal Party president and Senator Francis Pangilinan that the killings could be orchestrated in order to create an "atmosphere of lawlessness to justify a strongman rule."

Shot dead during the past week were Mayor Antonio Halili of Tanauan City, Batangas (Monday); Mayor Ferdinand Bote of General Tinio, Nueva Ecija (Tuesday); and Vice Mayor Alexander Lubigan of Trece Martires, Cavite (Saturday).

"Senator Pangilinan is a lawyer himself. He should know that even if there is lawlessness there cannot be a nationwide imposition of martial law," Roque said.

"Kahit ilan pa yang patayan na iyan, kung walang rebelyon at walang pananakop, wala pong dahilan para magkaroon ng martial law sa buong Pilipinas," he added.

Under the 1987 Constitution, the President is empowered to declare martial law in times of invasion and rebellion when the public safety requires it.

Duterte used this power in quelling rebellion in Mindanao by extremist groups accused of plotting a caliphate for international terror group ISIS.

The martial law in Mindanao would remain in effect until the end of this year.

'Different angles'

Roque said there are different angles being looked into by the authorities on the killing of each of the officials.

"There is no system behind the killings, but the common obligation of the state is to accord justice and, of course, the domestic remedy to all victims of these killings," Roque said.

He also rejected the claim of human rights watchdog Amnesty International Philippines that Duterte's drug war may be emboldening assailants.

"We’ve had vigilante killings since the time of [UN special rapporteur on extra-legal killings during Arroyo administration] Philip Alston. I don’t think it’s proper to attribute it to President Duterte," Roque said. — RSJ, GMA News