MANILA, Philippines – Malacañang on Thursday said President Rodrigo Duterte doesn’t have to declare martial law even after he claimed that notorious international drug cartels have started to operate in the Philippines.
“He doesn’t have to. We are containing it given the official figures,” Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a Palace briefing.
On Wednesday, Duterte warned that his war on drugs will be “hasher” in the days to come as he renewed his promise to end the drug menace during his term.
He also claimed that the floating cocaine packages recovered off the coastlines of some provinces in recent days confirmed the presence of international drug cartels in the country.
READ: Duterte: International drug syndicates behind ‘floating cocaine’
Panelo, who is also Duterte’s chief legal counsel, said martial law will only be needed in times of rebellion when public safety requires it. / gsg