Memo No. 32 not likely to be issued in more areas — Lorenzana

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Monday said the Memorandum Order (MO) 32 issued by President Rodrigo Durterte would be strictly limited to four areas as he allayed fears that it was a prelude to martial law.

“Ito kasi yung pinupunterya natin yung mga lugar na hanggang ngayon namamayagpag pa yung komunistang terorista dyan — Bicol, Samar at saka Negros. Panay ang sunog ng mga kagamitan ng mga construction at panay pangingikil nila sa businessmen…” he said in an interview over DZRH.

(These are the areas that we are targeting because until now the communists and terrorists are still there — Bicol, Samar, and Negros. They have been setting construction materials on fire and extorting money from businessmen…)

Asked on the possibility that the memorandum order would be declared in other areas, he said: “Hindi na siguro kasi dun lang sila talagang malakas eh (Maybe not anymore because the communists are only strong in those areas).”

“Wala dapat silang ipag-alala. Natatakot silang martial law walang martial law ito. Nakita ba nila sa MO kung may salitang martial law? Wala eh, it’s just an MO para lang paigtingin ang ating efforts para mapanatili ang kapayapaan sa mga lugar especially sa countryside,” Lorenzana said.

(“They have nothing to worry about. They are afraid of martial law. There’s no martial law. Did they see  any mention of martial law in the memo? No, it’s just a MO to intensify our efforts to maintain peace in specific areas, especially in the countryside.)

Last week, President Rodrigo Duterte issued MO32 authorizing more troop deployment to Samar, Negros Oriental, Negros Occidental, and the Bicol region, citing “lawless violence” perpetrated by communist and terrorist groups.

READ: Duterte deploys more cops, soldiers to Negros, Samar, Bicol

Lorenzana said the memorandum is intended to achieve fair and peaceful elections as these areas are known strongholds of the New People’s Army.

“Nung nakaraang eleksyon marami tayong narinig na mga sumbong ng mga tao dun na itong NPA ay pinakikialaman din eleksyon, parang hindi nagkaroon ng patas na labanan dahil nga yung kampanya palang ng mga tao, kandidato eh kinokontrol nila mga pagpasok sa mga lugar kung di sila magbayad at saka marami silang sinuportahan na mga kandidato,” he said.

(We received complaints that the NPA had meddled in the last elections. It’s not fair fight because they reportedly controlled the areas where candidates can enter and campaign openly. They were collecting fees and they had also supported many candidates.)

“Ibig sabihin din election was not fair yung hindi leveled yung playing fields nung last time, so ito paraan natin para ma-ensure na ang eleksyon campaign hanggang sa eleksyon ay tahimik, matiwasay at pantay ang labanan,” he added.

(This means that the conduct of the last election was not fair because it’s not a level playing field. This is our way to ensure that the campaign for next year’s election is peaceful and fair.) /ee