Series of killings not a ground to declare nationwide martial law — Palace

The series of killings of local officials, which critics said could create an “atmosphere of lawlessness,” could not be used to declare a nationwide martial law, Malacañang said on Monday.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said only rebellion and invasion could be used as a ground for the imposition of a nationwide martial law.

Roque was reacting to the remarks of Liberal Party President and opposition Sen. Francis Pangilinan who warned that the killings of local politicians could be orchestrated to give President Rodrigo Duterte the grounds to expand the current martial law in Mindanao.

READ: ‘Killings create climate of lawlessness’ – LP

In a press briefing, Roque said, “Sen. Pangilinan is a lawyer himself. He should know that if there is lawlessness, there cannot be a nationwide imposition of martial law. I think that was what he was driving at. Martial law is only for rebellion or invasion.”

“Dalawang basehan lang po yan. Kahit ilan pa yang patayan na yan kung walang rebellion at walang pananakop, wala pong dahilan para magkaroon ng martial law sa buong Pilipinas,” Roque added.

Three local politicians, which include two mayors and a vice mayor, were killed in the same week, which raised concerns about the rising lawlessness in the Philippines.   /vvp