BY PRINCE GOLEZ
Manila Reporter
MANILA – Filipinos in Thailand have been advised to “avoid public places” and “prepare for possible evacuation” following the imposition of martial law in the volatile Southeast Asian country.
The declaration by the Thai Army is aimed at “(restoring) peace and order for people from all sides,” news reports said.
Malacañang directed the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to ensure the safety of Filipinos there.
“The Philippines is closely monitoring the political developments in Thailand,” Communications Secretary Sonny Coloma Jr. said, quoting Secretary of Foreign Affairs Albert del Rosario.
Coloma said that the Philippines – during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit in Myanmar recently – supported calls for a peaceful resolution to Thailand’s political crisis.
DFA already raised the Alert Level in Thailand from No. 1 to No. 2.
“Alert 2 is issued when there are real threats to the life, security and property of Filipinos arising from internal disturbance in or external threat to the host country,” its statement said.
Filipinos are also prevented from going to rally sites and taking part in the political-related activities.
The martial law was declared by the Thai Army 03 a.m. on Tuesday and effective throughout Thailand.
However, no curfew will be declared under the Martial Act of 1914 in any part of the capital Bangkok or anywhere else for the time being, according to Army chief, Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha.
The Army chief, who replaced the caretaker government’s Center for the Administration of Peace and Order with an Army-led peacekeeping command which he himself heads, called on Thai media to practice “self-censorship” to avoid possibilities of instigating social panic and turbulences.
A dozen television stations, especially those known to be practically aligned with either the anti-government or pro-government side, were stopped under martial rule from airing political news reporting and commentary programs on temporary basis.
“Martial rule was meant to prevent further violence and bloodshed among the Thais…We definitely will not allow any more bloodshed to spill on the Thai soil,” the general declared.
Hordes of street demonstrators continued to gather on Rajdamnern Avenue at the heart of the capital and Axa road in its western outskirts under watchful eye of Army soldiers armed with assault rifles and handguns.
Given the martial rule, they were told to not move out of the spots where they have been peacefully gathering./PN
