MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte has warned that he might declare martial law should lawlessness involving the communist rebels continue.
The President made the warning in a public address aired Friday as he lamented the killing of soldiers by the New People’s Army (NPA).
“Kaya ngayon ‘pag nagpatuloy kayo ng lawlessness niyo, patay dito, patay doon, maybe I will declare martial law because kayong mga NPA ang numero uno,” Duterte said.
(If you continue with your lawlessness, killing here and there, maybe I will declare martial law because you NPAs are instigators)
“Kinukuha ninyo ang tulong sa tao pati supply pagkain nila. Kaya I am now warning everybody and putting notice on this sa Armed forces and sa pulis. I might declare martial law. And there will be no turning back,” he added.
(You are stealing the relief goods for the people, the supplies and food for them. That is why I am now warning everybody and putting notice to the Armed Forces and the police. I might declare martial law and there will be no turning back.)
The President said he would try to “finish” the NPA in the remaining two years of his administration.
“Ang utos ko sa kanila, ‘Patayin kayo? O di patayin ninyo sila.’ Lahat na. Tapusin na natin ito sa panahon ko. I have two more years. I will try to finish all of you,” he said.
(My order to them – ‘They kill you? Then kill them too.’ All of you. Let’s finish this during my term. I have two more years. I will try to finish all of you.)
Two soldiers were killed and three others were wounded in an encounter with NPA rebels during an aid distribution in Aurora province last Tuesday, military said.