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Friday, December 30, 2016
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MANILA – The Malacañang on Thursday sought to calm fears that President Rodrigo Duterte is considering the declaration of martial law following the explosions that occurred in Leyte and North Cotabato on Wednesday night.
“At this stage, there are no indications regarding that matter,” said presidential spokesman secretary Ernesto Abella when asked if the blasts set up a scenario in which Duterte might declare martial law.
“These are all being considered. For example, the situation in Hilongos, Leyte, these are not areas that have really been subject to threats like bombings, and that’s exactly why it’s all under investigation right now,” Abella said.
“But these are not indicators that a context is being set up for, let’s say, a declaration of martial law, for example,” he added.
Some 34 people were hurt in an explosion caused by a pair of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) during a boxing match near the Hilongos Municipal Plaza in Leyte at past 9 p.m. on Wednesday.
Nearly an hour later, at least six persons were hurt in a roadside explosion in Aleosan, North Cotabato.
The explosions happened a week after another explosion in Midsayap, Cotabato, where 13 people were hurt.
Abella said the separate explosions were “an area of concern, but not alarm.”
“Simply because first and foremost there have been no… Nobody has made actual claims about responsibility,” Abella said.
“Nobody has not taken responsibility for those explosions, so we cannot pinpoint any specific area or person responsible,” he added.
Duterte recently said amendments should be made in the Constitution to allow the president to impose martial law in case of emergency situations, without the approval of Congress and the Supreme Court. (GMA News)
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