Palace insists MO 32 not prelude to martial law

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo. INQUIRER file photo

President Rodrigo Duterte’s recent order to deploy more troops in some provinces in the country is not in preparation for a nationwide declaration of martial law, Malacañang said Monday.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the Memorandum Order 32, which calls for the deployment of more military and police to Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Bicol Region and Samar to suppress “lawless violence”, was issued in accordance with the “constitutional duty of the President to protect the people.”

“We repeatedly said, if there is any intention, then it should have been declared. But there is none,” Panelo said in a Palace briefing.

“Now, with respect to why there is a need… as we have repeatedly said, there is a need for that because those areas need to be secured,” he added.

Under MO 32, the government ordered the deployment of additional forces to Bicol, Samar, and Negros provinces where a “number of sporadic acts of violence” occurred which was allegedly committed by lawless groups.

READ: Duterte sends more troops in Bicol, Samar, Negros vs ‘lawless violence’

Malacañang made the clarification after the order was met with heavy criticisms.

Vice President Leni Robredo said many people were spooked by the term “lawless violence,” as it was one of the grounds that may be invoked to declare martial law.

She also said that the Duterte administration should look into the resurgence of the communist insurgency, claiming that “it was almost gone” under previous administrations.

For his part, Senator Panfilo Lacson said the issuance could part of the administration’s plan for the declaration of martial law or the suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus.

READ: Duterte order to deploy troops stumps Lacson