MANILA, Philippines – Malacañang was preparing to declare a state of lawlessness even before the blast in Davao City that killed 15 people and injured over 60 last Friday, an official said yesterday.
Presidential legal adviser Salvador Panelo said two drafts of the proclamation were prepared for President Duterte. One was from him and the other from Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea. These drafts are still being “fine-tuned” for Duterte’s approval.
“It was not the trigger,” Panelo said, referring to the Davao bombing. “In fact, we have been preparing the draft to provide justifications. The President has been looking at the magnitude of the (peace anc order) problem. If he can resolve the problems without (declaring a state of lawlessness), he would not do it.”
“But when there were bombings, so there was a need to declare it at once. The threat is huge,” he added.
Panelo also noted that under the Constitution, the President is mandated to call out the Armed Forces to augment the Philippine National Police (PNP) to suppress violence.
“Because of the obtaining conditions, the problem is getting bigger, we need the help of the Armed Forces because the PNP can’t do it alone,” he said.
Panelo cited the Abu Sayyaf, terrorism, criminality and the drug menace as factors that prompted the President to declare the state of lawlessness.
“So don’t be surprised if we will implement many checkpoints, because criminals and terrorists use vehicles to move around,” he said.
Curfew may also be implemented to ensure safety of the youth, but it will still depend on the recommendation of security forces, he added.
Panelo called on the public to understand that the “little inconvenience” should not be construed as curtailing the rights of the people.
“Our problems and threats are nationwide. Terrorism is not only in Davao and Mindanao. The threats are not only in Davao but also in key cities nationwide. So why localize the declaration?” he said.
When Duterte declared a state of lawless violence last Saturday, he quickly said that it was not a declaration of martial law and that the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus is not suspended.
Beware of martial law
Last month, Duterte appeared to have tested the waters on the possible declaration of martial law when publicly lambasted Supreme Court Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno for objecting to the President’s call for prosecutors and judges allegedly linked to drug trade to submit themselves to investigation.
Duterte asked Sereno rhetorically, “Would you prefer that I declare martial law?”
Many quarters, including Senate President pro-tempore Franklin Drilon, warned the Palace against implementing martial rule.