Communist leader Jose Maria Sison and President Rodrigo Duterte. (INQUIRER FILE PHOTOS)
LUCENA CITY – Exiled Communist Party of the Philippines founder Jose Maria Sison on Tuesday warned President Duterte that the proclamation of martial law or resorting to legal strongman rule would lead to the end of his regime just like the fate of former President Marcos.
“I forewarn Duterte that in imposing martial law on the Filipino people, whether de facto or formally proclaimed, he will ultimately suffer the end and ignominy of the Marcos fascist dictatorship,” Sison said in a statement.
He added: “It is best for Duterte to step back from his drive for absolute power and absolute corruption before it is too late for him.”
On Sunday, President Duterte said he would be stern in his remaining days in office to prevent unlawful acts and criminalities to maintain peace and order.
“I will not declare martial law (but) I will go for the strongest tools in my hands,” President Duterte said.
Earlier, Sison claimed that Duterte intended to declare martial law nationwide ahead of next year’s polls to secure the victory of his political allies.
“Duterte himself and his innermost cabal are hell-bent on ensuring their stay in power through a presidential proclamation of martial law nationwide before the May 2019 midterm elections,” he said.
Sison further claimed that the martial law proclamation might be made in January 2019 in “order to ensure that they control and determine the results of the elections.”