MANILA, Philippines–President Rodrigo Duterte’s State of Lawlessness proclamation in 2016 remains in place and can be used to quell violence in Negros Oriental, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said Friday.
Guevarra explained that while the situation in Negros Oriental is being evaluated to determine if the constitutional requirements for the declaration of martial law has been met, the President can make use of his previous proclamation which has not been revoked.
“The President has issued a proclamation early on placing the entire country under State of Lawlessness in view of what is happening in Mindanao…That proclamation has not been revoked,” Guevarra said.
The proclamation was issued in September 2016 to stop terrorism and strengthen the government’s campaign against illegal drugs.
Before imposing martial law, Guevarra reminded that the constitutional requirements state that there must be rebellion or state of invasion and when public interest requires it must exist.
“If met, then, the President will have the legal basis to declare martial law in Negros Oriental. Otherwise, if there is no rebellion there, no invasion there, the President can make use of the other proclamation,” Guevarra explained.
Under State of Lawlessness, the President can only call out the military to help the police to suppress violence. /jpv
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