Karapatan sees spike in rights violations if Duterte declares martial law in Negros Oriental

The human rights watchdog group Karapatan has expressed concern over suggestions that President Rodrigo Duterte declare martial law in Negros Oriental over the spate of killings in the province.

Responding to a question, presidential spokesman Secretary Salvador Panelo on Thursday said that Duterte would "certainly" declare martial law in Negros Oriental if the Armed Forces and local government units want it.

"As what we have seen in the course of martial law implementation in Mindanao, we foresee extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrests and detention, torture, forced surrender, forcible evacuation and other rights violations that will wantonly be committed by State forces once martial law is declared in Negros," Karapatan secretary-general Cristina Palabay said in a statement.

"We call on Negrenses and the Filipino people to oppose this spiraling descent to full-blown dictatorship in the country," she added.

At least 20 people were reported killed in the province over the past days including a lawyer, public school officials, a rebel returnee, and police intelligence officers who were allegedly summarily executed by communists rebels.

“Certainly," presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said when asked if he would declare military rule in the province if the authorities suggested it.

"He always follow the advice of those people in the know,” he added.

The Philippine National Police has already ordered the deployment more than 300 troops from the Special Action Force to help the local police and the military there in securing the area.

Panelo, however, said the number of security forces there may not be enough to quell lawless violence.

“From the judgment of the President, it appears to be so. Especially he mentioned last night that mas marami ang sumusuporta ngayon sa mga NPA [New People’s Army]. They are taking advantage nga doon sa pagkakagulo ng mga away sa lupa,” Panelo said. —NB, GMA News