If declared, martial law will be enforced based on the law –AFP

If President Rodrigo Duterte decides to place the country under martial law, the military will implement it in accordance with the law and the provisions of the 1987 Constitution, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said on Friday.

"We have the wealth of experience and lessons learned in the enforcement of martial law in Mindanao. We will capitalize on it," AFP spokesman Brigadier General Edgard Arevalo said in a statement.

"We assure our people that, should the AFP be tasked to enforce martial law, we will do so respecting the Bill of Rights enshrined in the Constitution, the Law of Armed Conflict, and other applicable laws," he added.

According to Arevalo, President Rodrigo Duterte was enraged by communist rebels' hostile actions during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) health crisis (COVID-19).

"They prompted him to threaten to declare martial law if these opportunist terrorists will continue to commit their inhumane and criminal acts at this time that we are fighting a pandemic," Arevalo said.

Earlier, Duterte threatened to declare martial law in response to New People's Army attacks against communities and security forces, noting that killings perpetrated by communists had been rampant.

"‘Pag nagpatuloy kayo ng lawlessness ninyo, patay dito, patay doon….and it is happening all over the Philippines, maybe I will declare martial law. Ikaw na NPA, numero uno, hinaharang ang tulong sa tao, pati supply ng pagkain nila," Duterte said.

"Kaya I’m now warning everybody and putting notice sa AFP pati pulis. I might declare martial law and there will be no turning back kung ano ang martial law na klase na gagawin ko,” Duterte added.

Arevalo said the military was crafting new tactics and procedures to ensure that government troops will not fall prey to treacherous attacks by the NPA while assisting local government units in their quarantine response.

Extended ECQ

Moreover, Arevalo said the AFP was making the necessary adjustments in the deployment of soldiers following the announcement that the enhanced community quarantine would be extended until May 15 in Metro Manila and other high-risk areas.

"The President has acted upon and has decided as to which regions and provinces will remain within the coverage of ECQ and which will now be placed on GCQ," Arevalo said.

"The AFP will be in the forefront of its effective implementation in support of the national and local governments," he added. — DVM, GMA News