Palace orders deployment of more troops to Samar, Negros, Bicol to quell ‘lawless violence’

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang ordered the deployment of additional troops to some parts of the country as part of the government’s measure to suppress what it called “lawless violence.”

Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, by order of President Rodrigo Duterte, on Thursday signed Memorandum 32, which reinforces guidelines under the state of national emergency on account of lawless violence.

The memorandum called for immediate deployment of additional police and military forces in Samar, Negros Oriental, Negros Occidental and the Bicol Region to “suppress lawless violence and acts of terror” and “prevent such violence from spreading and escalating elsewhere in the country.”

It cited “a number of sporadic acts of violence” happening recently in these areas.

“There is a need to reinforce the directive of the president in order to prevent further loss of innocent lives and destruction of property and bring the whole country back to a state of complete normalcy as quick as possible,” the memorandum read.

Under the memorandum, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine National Police and the Department of Justice shall intensify their intelligence operations against individuals or groups suspected of, or responsible for, committing or conspiring commit acts of lawless violence in the country, as well as investigation and prosecution.

It stressed that the constitutional rights of the public shall be respected by the military and police forces during the implementation of this order.

“Any AFP or PNP personnel found violating any of the foregoing constitutional rights shall be held administratively, civilly or criminally liable therefore,” it said. 

Duterte issued Proclamation 55 declaring a state of lawlessness in the country on September 3, 2016, following a blast in Davao City that killed at least 14 people and wounded more than 60 others.

The now two-year-old declaration allows police to call on the military for help in suppressing lawless violence. — Gaea Katreena Cabico