Roque: ‘Anti-tambay’ order won’t lead to martial law declaration

Malacañang on Tuesday said that President Rodrigo Duterte’s “anti-tambay” directive would not lead to the nationwide imposition of martial law as there was no need for it for now.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque reminded the public of the President’s previous statement that declaring military rule all over the Philippines was a very complicated matter.

Roque said at a press briefing in Cotabato City that “the President’s statement [was] very clear that ‘martial law in the entire Philippines [would] become very complicated.’”

“He has absolutely no intentions right now unless there would be reasons to do so,” he added.

Roque made the remarks amid concerns that the President’s directive to round up loiterers and potential troublemakers in the streets would lead to the declaration of martial law.

Earlier, the Philippine National Police reported that 2,981 individuals were arrested in Metro Manila over the weekend for violating local ordinances.

However, the President’s directive was met with criticism that it might be used to justify illegal detention and arrests.

Over the weekend, a call center agent claimed on Facebook that he and his companions were detained even though they were just waiting for a friend outside the latter’s house in Makati City.

Matt Nanaramid and his friends were eventually released.

Abuse of authority

The incident prompted the Makati police to relieve two of its men “following a report of an alleged abuse of discretion of authority.”

Senior Insp. Aaron Elago, commander of Makati City’s Police Community Precinct 7, was placed on floating status with desk officer SPO2 James Teaño.

Chief Supt. Tomas Apolinario Jr., Southern Police District, however, clarified that the two were relieved to pave the way for an investigation. —With a report from Matthew Reysio-Cruz