MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte’s order to deploy additional police troops to Negros Island and three other areas was unnecessary, Commission on Human Rights chairman Jose Luis Gascon said.
According to Gascon, the government has enough resources in Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Samar, and Bicol to combat violence.
“Government has every power to enforce the laws of the land without the need to enforce martial law,” the commission head said at a recent forum in Quezon City.
“Dapat unawain nila na may martial law man sa Mindanao o wala, o sa iba pang lugar sa Pilipinas, ay hindi po ito nagsu-suspend o nagka-cancel ng human rights guarantees,” he added.
In Memorandum Order 32, Duterte wanted to “suppress lawless violence and acts of terror in those areas” in the mentioned areas.
“There is a need to reinforce the directive of the President in order to prevent loss of innocent lives and destruction of property and bring the whole country back to a state of complete normalcy as quick as possible,” read part of the order.
“This MO 32 can be President Duterte’s way of extending martial law in Mindanao,” Gascon said, echoing similar sentiments from opposition lawmakers.
“Baka nga i-extend uli [ang martial law sa Mindanao],” he added. “Ngayon balak po nila gumawa ng ibang hakbang na maaari ay tingnan ng iba na parang pagpapalawak pa nito sa labas ng Mindanao.”
Gascon further said: “This President seems to believe or think that he has more effectiveness if he pursues a track of pursuing martial law. We will continue to speak that it is not necessary.”/PN
