No talk of nationwide martial law vs. crime, says Palace

Malacañang on Thursday said there was no discussion in the Executive department for President Rodrigo Duterte to impose martial law nationwide to combat criminality and illegal drugs.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque made the statement after Duterte announced on Wednesday that he may use his emergency power to effect "radical changes" in the days ahead to ensure public order and security.

"Hindi po," Roque told reporters when asked if declaring martial law was an option.

"'Yun po ang sinabi ni Mr. President [possibly declare a state of national emergency] pero of course if there are legal and factual basis, that's in the Constitution. Pero dun sa konteksto ng speech po niya, ang binanggit niya ay state of national emergency which is the least intrusive of the three powers of the President as commander-in-chief," he added.

The Philippines remains under the state of national emergency which Duterte declared following the deadly bombing at a night market in his hometown Davao City in September 2016.

Duterte also placed Mindanao under martial law in May last year in order to quell rebellion by Maute group-led terror organizations that aim to establish an Islamic State province in the region.

Backed by Congress and affirmed by the Supreme Court, the proclamation has been extended twice since.

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

Roque said the President was concerned with the recent spate of crime incidents in the country, including the deaths of two government prosecutors and the reported increase in the number of hold-up cases in Metro Manila.

“Nahabag talaga ang Presidente sa mga balitang ito. Feeling ko pinakanahabag siya doon sa balitang buntis sinaksak ng isang drug addict,” he said, referring to slain Ombudsman Assistant Special Prosecutor Madonna Joy Tanyag.

The Palace official also said Duterte believes there is still room for improvement as far as addressing criminality is concerned.—NB, GMA News