CentCom chief loath to recommend martial law in Negros Oriental

Armed Forces of the Philippines Central Command (CentCom) chief Lieutenant General Noel Clement was not convinced that there was a need to declare martial law in Negros Oriental, despite the recent spate of killings in the province.

"From our level dito, I don't think at this time we need to implement martial law dito. Manageable pa naman," Clement said in an interview with reporters.

He however added, "Depende kay Presidente [Rodrigo Duterte] kung gusto niya talagang mag-impose ng [martial law] dito. But right now we're not inclined actually to recommend martial law."

Clement pointed out that in order for martial law to be declared over an area, cases of rebellion or insurrection needed to be present.

"I think at this time that is not happening there. May mga incidents lang talaga ng patayan. But it's within manageable levels, to the point hindi naman siya widespread na buong Negros Oriental nagkakaroon ng patayan," he explained.

At least 20 people were killed in the province the past week, including a lawyer, public school officials, a rebel returnee, and police intelligence officers who were allegedly summarily executed by communist gunmen.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said Duterte would surely place Negros Oriental under martial law if the military and local government units in the province recommended it.

The Philippine National Police meanwhile had deployed more than 300 police officers from the Special Action Force to assist local police and the military in maintaining peace in the province. — Erwin Colcol/DVM, GMA News