President Rodrigo Duterte warned that he “might declare martial law” if communist rebels continue to attack government troops as the government struggles to fight the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.
In a public address aired on PTV4, the president denounced the New People’s Army (NPA) for launching strikes against soldiers.
“That’s why now, if you continue with your lawlessness, killing here and there and it’s happening all over the Philippines, maybe I will declare martial law because you NPAs are the number one instigators,” Duterte said.
“You steal the relief goods meant for the people, the supplies of food for them. That is why, I am now warning everybody and putting notice to the Armed Forces and the police, I might declare martial law and there will be no turning back,” he said.
The president’s warning came after two soldiers were reportedly killed in an NPA attack in Aurora province on Tuesday.
In a statement, the Philippine Army identified the fatalities as Privates First Class Ken Lester Sasapan and Jackson Mallari.
The two were part of a platoon providing security for workers from the Department of Social Welfare and Development, who were distributing relief goods, the Army said.
During a virtual press briefing, Palace spokesman Harry Roque said Duterte could use his “extraordinary” power to declare martial law.
“He will use the extraordinary power of the presidency to declare martial law against this group that is engaged in an act of rebellion against the government,” he added.
In the same briefing, Interior Secretary Eduardo Ano backed Roque’s statement, noting that Duterte could take such an “extreme” measure “if public safety is so required.”
“What would be the basis for declaring martial law? In case there is massive public disorder and if there are groups that would take advantage of the crisis such as the CPP-NPA,” he said, referring to the Communist Party of the Philippines.
Under the Constitution, a president can declare martial law when there is an “invasion or rebellion,” or “when the public safety requires it.”
There have been a number of clashes between government forces and the NPA, which declared a unilateral ceasefire until April 30 in response to the United Nations’ call for a global truce so all states can focus on the Covid-19 pandemic.
Last month, Malacanang assailed the NPA for attacking soldiers in Rodriguez, Rizal. A soldier and a rebel were killed during the incident, according to military reports.
Communists have accused government forces of committing atrocities during the ceasefire.
On Friday, communist insurgents killed a government trooper in a firefight in Bayog town, Zamboanga del Sur, Army officials said.
Lt Col Manaros Boransing, commander of the 97th Infantry Battalion, reported that a patrol clashed with NPA fighters in the village of Balukbahan.
“One trooper paid the ultimate sacrifice in an encounter with the communist NPA terrorist group,” he said.
Maj. Gen. Generoso Ponio, commander of the 1st Infantry Division, also ordered troops to sustain the offensive and destroy the rebel group as he condoled with the family of the slain soldier.
The clash was the second this week. Soldiers engaged the same group in the village and recovered an automatic rifle and improvised explosive left behind by fleeing rebels.
On Wednesday, rebels ambushed a military truck and wounded two soldiers in Davao City.
The attack in Malabog village in Paquibato district targeted members of the 16th Infantry Battalion.
The ambush sparked a brief firefight and it was unknown whether any of the communist rebels were wounded or killed in the clash.
Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo, Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesman, said the military was prepared to implement martial law should President Duterte declare it.
“In the event that the president declares martial law, we will implement it in accordance with existing laws and the provisions of the constitution,” he said. “We have the wealth of experience and lessons learned in the enforcement of (martial law) in Mindanao. We will capitalise on it.”
CPP condemned Duterte’s threat to declare martial law and told him to stop blaming the NPA “to cover up his government’s failures.”
“This is a classic deflection tactic to draw away the people’s attention from the government’s inept, incompassionate and irresponsible actions in the face of the pandemic,” it said in a statement. It also pointed out that Duterte’s handling of the Covid-19 crisis “has blown up because of his government’s military-minded response and failure to conduct mass testing, to carry out agenda of imposing martial law.”
The CPP said declaring martial law would not help stop Covid-19 and would only cause “greater hardships” among Filipinos.
Senate President Vicente Sotto 3rd said if the NPA attacks persist and rebellion continues amid the pandemic, the president is obligated to declare martial law.
Sen. Aquilino Pimentel 3rd said a declaration of martial law was subject to the substantive requirements of the Constitution.
from Gulf Times https://ift.tt/2KB7zLa
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