Duterte thumbs down declaration of martial law, calls it ‘stupid’

Martial law? No way.

President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday rejected the declaration of martial law to address security concerns in the country, saying it was a “stupid” move that didn’t improve the lives of Filipinos.

“Martial law for what? Killing people? I would rather empower every mayor. Kapag galing sa akin, kalokohan iyan (It would be stupid if it would come from me),” Duterte said in his speech at the ARMM Local Government Summit in Davao City.

“Nag martial law tayo noon, gumaling ba ang buhay natin? Hanggang ngayon, wala (We had martial law before, did our lives improve? Up to now, no improvement),” he added.

The President said he would not allow oppression under his administration.

“I do not allow oppression in this country and I will never do it,” he said.

He allayed the fears of people in the country’s capital about him declaring martial law.

“Kaya itong taga-Maynila, akala nila magagalit ako ngayon, martial law dito, martial law doon, barilan dito, barilan doon (People from Metro Manila think that I would get angry and declare martial law and there would be shootings),” he said.

Former President Ferdinand Marcos signed proclamation 1081 on September 21, 1972, which declared martial law.

Duterte earlier earned public criticisms after he said there were instances that he was tempted to declare martial due to the worsening drug menace in the country.

READ: Duterte: I’m sometimes tempted to declare martial law

The President also said that he may be forced to suspend the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus if lawlessness in the country escalates.

READ: Duterte warns of suspension of habeas corpus writ

On September 5, Duterte signed a proclamation declaring a state of national emergency on account of lawless violence. RAM/rga