President Duterte on Friday threatened to suspend the Writ of Habeas Corpus, a move that would allow warrantless arrests, if the threat of illegal drugs and terrorism escalates in the country.
In a speech in Davao City, the President warned that he could “pick up” these lawless elements and neutralize them, saying he would no longer allow the country to deteriorate any further.
“Kung magkalat itong lawlessness, I might be forced to – ayaw ko, ayaw ko, warning ko lang sa kanila ‘yan, ayaw ko kasi hindi maganda – but if you force my hand into it, I will declare a suspension of the Writ of Habeas Corpus,” the President said during the launch of Pilipinong May Puso Foundation Inc.
Duterte, however, quickly made clear that he would not declare Martial Law in the country, saying “wala akong balak sa pulitika.” a state of national emergency on the basis of lawless violence shortly after the Davao City blast last September. The Writ of Habeas Corpus, which commands the State to produce a person in its custody and justify its detention, was not suspended under Proclamation No. 55 issued two months ago.
The Constitution states that the President can suspend the privilege of Writ of Habeas Corpus for 60 days “in case of invasion or rebellion, when the public safety requires it.”
Within 48 hours of suspending the writ, the President must submit a report to the Congress, which may vote to revoke or extend it.
In his impromptu remarks, the President said he was considering the suspension of the writ because he has “no remedy” to the massive drug problem, aggravated by the involvement of thousands of government officials in the illegal activity.
Adding to the President’s woes is the rebellion waged by the Maute Terror Group in the Mindanao. The group has earlier been implicated in the Davao bombing the left 15 people dead.
“I will declare a suspension of the Writ of Habeas Corpus, pick up ko ‘yan lahat, dalhin ko sa Samal, butasan ko ang Samal sa gitna para lumubog para kasali na sila,” the President said.
“Mamili sila, totoo, if you don’t give me a choice, and you box me in a corner, and I find myself helpless,” he added.
Duterte also defended the possible suspension of the Writ of Habeas Corpus, saying it is among the Constitutional provisions intended “to protect the Republic of the Philippines.”
And if the Supreme Court orders him to stop the suspension of the writ, the President warned that “maybe I will not stop.”
Duterte maintained that he was ready to face charges and go to jail in line with his duty to protect the people from lawless violence.
“Bahala na, sabihin ko muna, tapusin ko muna ‘to tapos I can go to jail. File all the charges that you can think of but this country in my time will deteriorate any further,” he said.
kung sa ikakabuti ng mindanao sa usapin ng seguridad okay lang yan
sabagay nasa mindanao mga karamihan na terrorista kailangan silang mapigilan
binibigyan kasi agad ng masamang kahulugan ang mga action ni PRRD sana tapusin muna ang ginagwa saka kayo magkomento
ganyan ang mga inggit sa ating leader.
kailangan yan sa lugar nila dahil maraming pacsyon mga nagaaway sa kanila
martial law scamming!
hirap mo din makaintindi ehh!
para namana yan sa mindanao na gingawa ni Duterte para maayos sila
suz naman asa pa kayo sa Digonggong na yan!
kami umaasa tlaga sa pangulo pero ikaw?wala kang pag-asa!
kami wala maaasahan sayo pero kay Duterte madami kami na maaasahn
pinapangunahan agad ang ating pangulo,antayin nyo muna ang resulta bago kayo mag salita.
ganyan talaga ang mga nag mamagaling.
para din naman ito sa kpakanan ng mga taga mindanao.mag tiwala lang tayo.
para sa sarili nya,mkasarili ang pangulo nyo!
kaya pala ang dami nya ng nagawa sa ating bansa..yun ba ang selfish?
wala ka naman ksing alam,unghang ka!tarantado!
Suspension of the writ of habeas corpus is, after all, an option given by the Constitution to the President of the Philippines under certain conditions.
Kayong mga kontra-Digong, mga drug coddler at protector, mga kriminal, mga korap na opisyal, go ahead, TEMPT Pareng Digong to exercise this option.
Tingnan natin kung gaano kayo tatagal sa loob ng kulungan.
Ituloy nyo ang pagbenta ng iligal na droga, ang pangungurakot sa gobyerno, mag rally, mag protesta kayo, punuin nyo ang mga lansangan, hintuin nyo ang kalakalan, isirado nyo ang mga paaralan, mag-bato kayo ng Molotov cocktail, gaya nang ginawa ng mga komunista noong panahon ni Macoy.
Tiyak, suspendido ang writ.
kung para naman ito sa kapakanan ng bwat isa,suportahan na lang natin ang ating pangulo.
woooh!uto uto ka!
ganyan naman ang mga sinasabi nyo..yellowtard!
walang ibang gusto ang ating pangulo kundi ang mapaganda ang ating bayan!!
Para sa akin, lahat ng ginagawa ni tatay digong ay para sa ating bayan kaya naman tigilan na ang paninira sakanya!
saludo talaga ako sa ating presidente!!!
wala namang silbi yang presidente nyo!