Duterte may be forced to declare martial law if terror spills over into Metro Manila – Palace
Credit to Author: The Manila Times| Date: Thu, 18 Jul 2019 11:02:56 +0000
PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte may be forced to declare martial law if terror attacks would spill over into Metro Manila, Malacañang said on Thursday, following the emergence of a Filipino suicide bomber tagged in the twin explosions in Sulu.
Speaking to reporters, Palace spokesman Salvador Panelo said the President was “very concerned” over potential security threats in the metropolis.
“Kaya nga ‘di ba (Thay’s why [the President said]): ‘Don’t force me to the wall. ‘Pag hindi kayo tumigil (If you will not stop), I’ll be compelled to use powers granted to me by the Constitution, lalung-lalo pa ‘yung terorismo makarating dito sa Maynila (especially if terrorism reaches Metro Manila),” Panelo said during a press briefing.
“Yun nga ang kinakatakot niya kasi may suicide bomber na (That’s what he fears because there is now a suicide bomber). He’s very concerned of that. Kaya ‘di ba nag-warning siya sa (That’s why he warned) enemies of the state, don’t force my hand into it. I will not allow the disintegration of this country,” he added.
Asked about the available powers of the President against the possible spillover of terror attacks in other parts of the country, Panelo said, “Di ba sinabi ko na (I already said that), he can declare martial law, he can declare a revolutionary government, he can use other emergency powers under the Constitution to quell whatever violence or any attempt at destroying this Republic.”
“Pwede niyang gawin lahat yun (He can do it all). The military or all the Armed Forces of the Philippines, under the Constitution, are obligated to protect the people. The President can use the Armed Forces of the Philippines,” he said.
Three soldiers and three civilians died while more than 20 others were injured when two suicide bombers, one of them was confirmed to be a Filipino, blew themselves off inside a military camp in Sulu in June.
The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) immediately raised full alert status, which was lifted two days after.
NCRPO chief Guillermo Eleazar, however, had said that the mobilization of police personnel would continue as intelligence operations have been intensified to foil any possible terror plans and detect terrorist personalities.
Last week, Duterte said that he was working on strengthening the country’s military and police as he saw “dangerous times” ahead.
“I see very dangerous times ahead. And I hope that we will be able to contain whatever there is to really to…” the President said.
“Lumalabas nga ‘yung pawis sa kamay ko (My palms are sweating) just thinking about if it would go awry outside of Sulu and Basilan Islands,” he said. CATHERINE VALENTE
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