Martial law not applicable to quell chaos in ‘Yolanda’-hit Tacloban, says De Lima
Justice Secretary Leila de Lima. INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—A declaration of martial law is not applicable in Tacloban City, besides, Justice Secretary Leila De Lima said, there are other ways of addressing chaos in the storm-ravaged city.
“Under the Constitution, martial law is confined to only two cases or situations—invasion or rebellion. I don’t think either situation currently exists,” De Lima said in a text message to reporters, Monday.
“I believe that there are enough powers allotted by the Constitution and the laws to the national government, specifically the President, in addressing the situation in the Yolanda-devastated areas, including breakdown of law and order or lawless violence and the like,” she added.
The Justice chief said instead of martial law, a declaration of both state of emergency and a state of calamity is a strong option in the area.
De Lima pointed that with the widespread looting of food and water by the residents, an iron fist is not needed but “a humanitarian attitude and people who the victims can talk to or, at least people who they can look to for reassurance that aid is coming.”
She said warm bodies from the national government should be deployed to the affected areas.
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