MANILA – Despite saying that he planned “a drastic action” in Negros Island following a spate of killings, President Rodrigo Duterte ruled out declaring martial law in the province.
Duterte on Tuesday said the “drastic action” he mentioned a week ago meant deploying more soldiers to quell lawless violence in Negros.
“Let us make it clear. I will never declare martial law except in Mindanao,” Duterte said. “You have a ruckus there in Negros. Ang sinabi kong drastic action was that punuin ko ng sundalo just like Jolo.”
“I have one division, tapos magpadala pa ako ng dagdag. You know, life is not really that good, that comfortable, especially with so many military around and so many checkpoints,” he added.
“It has nothing to do with…you do not go after innocent people. Martial law, you go after the lawless elements. So why do you have to declare it? Why do I have to tell Congress?” Duterte said.
The President added he may declare “another thing” if there is something which will create ruckus in the country.
“Now, if it is really something which gumaganon ang bayan well I might declare another thing and that is for you to guess what would it be,” Duterte said. “‘Yung martial law sa Mindanao, talagang kailangan.”
“Remember that ruckus in Marawi started not as an open rebellion to say that they are separating from the Republic. It was none of that. It took place because the police were there to serve a warrant of arrest in connection with a drug case. It was only drugs,” added Duterte./PN
