PNP defends Memorandum 32: It’s a proactive measure, not a precursor to martial law

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday dismissed insinuations that Memorandum Order 32, issued by Malacañang, is a step toward martial law, but rather, a proactive measure against lawless violence and acts of terror perpetrated by terrorist groups.

“This is a proactive measure para hindi lumaganap, lumalala. Ito po ay ginawa through our security sector para we can always be on the top of the game to ensure peace and order,” PNP spokesperson Chief Superintendent Benigno Durana Jr. said in an interview on GMA News TV's News To Go.

Memorandum Order 32 called for the deployment of additional security forces in the Bicol Region and the provinces of Samar, Negros Oriental and Negros Occidental, prompted by the lawless violence in the areas.

Durana said lawless violence refers to any violent incidents perpetrated by communist and terrorist groups.

“Ang lawless violence ayon sa definition ng PNP, ito ay any violence, incident perpetrated by communist, terrorist group at iba pang domestic terror group,” Durana said.

He also said the memorandum is an expression of the obligation of the state to address the lawless violence and acts of terror in the country.

‘Insurgency not worsening’

But Durana clarified that the insurgency in the concerned regions and provinces is not worsening.

“Nakikita po natin bacause there are early indication that lawless violence and acts of terror ay mangyayari po sa Bicol, sa Samar, and the Negros Island,” he said, stressing that the memorandum is not a precursor to a nationwide martial law.

Interviewed also on NTG, Commission on Human Rights spokesperson Jacqueline De Guia said that effective law enforcement is the solution to violence and not the deployment of more troops.

“Alam po natin na may serye ng insidente ng dahas doon sa area,  kaya lang naniniwala tayo na hindi increased militarization ang sagot kundi po effective law enforcement,” De Guia said in a separate interview on News To Go.

De Guia pointed out that a memorandum order is unnecessary in addressing the violence, saying it would only bring fear to the residents in the concerned areas.

“Ipagpatuloy lamang po nila ang kanilang trabaho na hindi na nini-necessitate  ng isang executive order na nag-so-sow rin ng pangamba sa komunidad na ito po ay precursor to martial law.”

Citing the statement of Durana on the violence of terrorist groups as factor that prompted the memorandum, De Guia said: “Ang counter-insurgency ay matagal nang suliranin noon pa lamang at wala namang pong nagbago except yung pag-breakdown ng peace talks ngayon.”

Meanwhile, PNP chief Director General Oscar Albayalde said in a statement that they have already synchronized their response to Memorandum Order 32.

“At national, regional and provincial levels, we are realigning deployment of forces according to the prevailing intelligence assessment and threat evaluation with the underlying objective to thwart any attempt by domestic threat groups to commit acts of violence in these areas,” he said.

“We have alerted all maneuver and territorial police forces in these areas to assume an active defense posture while stepping-up proactive operations to suppress lawless violence and acts of terror,  and prevent these from spreading to other localities,” Albayalde added. — Joviland Rita/RSJ, GMA News