President Duterte does not see any need to declare a nationwide martial law just to keep peace and order in the country.
The President has argued that the government could apprehend or shoot persons involved in criminal activities without having to declare martial law across the country.
“Hindi ako mag-declare ng martial law. Bakit ako mag-declare ng martial law? Pwede man kitang hulihin. Pwede nga kitang patayin eh kung ayaw mo talagang maghinto,” Duterte said during the 35th founding anniversary of the Army Reserve Command in Cavite last Thursday.
Duterte, however, dispelled allegations about his dictatorial tendencies, saying he has authorized government troops to kill him if he exceeds his six-year term.
“Martial law-martial law, ‘Duterte maging diktador.’ Kaya inuutusan ko kayo ngayon. ‘Pag ako ang nag-overshoot ng isang oras sa termino ko, hulihin ninyo ako at i-firing squad ninyo ako,” he said. “But until then, I have to work because I was elected, not by the military, not by the police, but by the people. And I am a worker of government together with you and we serve the Republic of the Philippines,” he added.
At present, martial law remains in effect Mindanao to quell rebellion and lawless violence following the siege in Marawi City in May 2017. The martial law proclamation is set to expire at the end of the year but the military and police were reportedly poised to recommend another extension.
Duterte also dispelled concerns of an imminent martial law declaration across the country in an earlier speech at the inauguration of the Cavite Gateway Terminal in Tanza, Cavite. “You know I’m not here to declare martial law. I’ll just go ahead in what I want to do,” he said. (Genalyn D. Kabiling)
