Palace says no imminent declaration of martial law

Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella. Presidential Photo

Malacanang on Wednesday assured the pubic there was “no imminent declaration” of martial law amid President Rodrigo Duterte’s statement that it could be a “contingency” plan to address violence in the country.

“No imminent declaration, unless of course sabi ide-declare, this area. I mean if conditions, if the necessary conditions are there,” Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella told reporters in a Palace briefing.

READ: Duterte: Martial law a contingency to meet widespread violence

The Palace official Duterte was only “underlining our awareness and necessary consciousness of the growing impunity, apparent impunities especially in certain areas of Mindanao,” he said.

In a dinner with select members of the media on Tuesday night in Malacanang, Duterte said he was not a fan of martial law but it could be a contingency measure to “meet widespread violence” in the country.

Asked to clarify his statement, Abella said the President’s pronouncement was only part of his leadership style.

“We need to understand the leadership style of the President. He creates awareness. That is his manner of leadership so I think we should need to be able to take that in stride,” he said.

Duterte earlier said he might be forced to suspend the writ of habeas corpus amid the escalating violence if lawlessness in the country escalates.

READ: Duterte warns of suspension of habeas corpus writ

“If lawlessness becomes widespread, I might be forced to—I don’t want to do it, I don’t want to. It’s just my warning to them. I don’t want it because it’s not good,” he said.

“If you force my hand into it, I will declare the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus, not martial law. I have no political plans,” he added. TVJ

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