President Duterte said that he would not declare martial law even in case of a rebellion or insurrection.
AP/Aaron Favila, File
MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte said Thursday that only an invasion from another country would impel him to place the country under martial law, saying the policy would lead to the “downfall of the country.”
Some sectors are worried that the Duterte administration might use the recent bombings, armed rebellion and the drug menace to declare martial law.
Critics also noted that Duterte has raised the possibility of suspending the privilege of writ of habeas corpus if lawlessness spread in Mindanao. A writ of habeas corpus, is an order to present an imprisoned person before the court as a safeguard against illegal detention.
Duterte, however, believes the present conditions in the Philippines do not warrant martial law.
“It will lead to the downfall of the country. I will never declare martial law,” the president told GMA News in an interview.
In a separate interview, Duterte described martial law as “useless.” He claimed that Sen. Panfilo Lacson was the one who floated the idea of declaring martial law in Mindanao.
“For me, martial law is useless…If everything is in shamble, all you have to do is declare a state of lawlessness,” the president said.
Duterte said a state of lawlessness is enough to address rebellion.
When asked what would impel him to declare martial law, Duterte replied: “Maybe an invasion from other country but rebellion and insurrection, wala yan (that’s nothing).”
“Just declare a war against them. You don’t have to declare a war against the Republic of the Philippines,” he added.
Duterte admitted though that he wants to change the present constitutional provisions on martial law.
Under the present charter, Congress and the Supreme Court should concur with the presidents' declaration of martial law.
“Just bring back the 1935 Constitution, you add the Ombudsman and all commissions including human rights,” he said.