Negros local execs divided on martial law

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — While they vow to support President Duterte’s decision, local government officials in Negros Oriental are divided on the declaration of martial law in the province amid a wave of killings.

Mayor Emarie Agustino of Ayungon town said there is “positive feedback” on the implementation of martial law.

Former Ayungon mayor Edsel Enardecido and his cousin Leo were shot dead by unidentified men who entered their houses. Four police officers were reportedly tortured before they were killed by New People’s Army (NPA) rebels also in Ayungon.

Mayor Guido Reyes of Guihulngan City, where most of the killings occurred, said martial law instilled discipline among the people.

Lawyer Anthony Trinidad; Arthur Bayawa, principal of Guihulngan Science High School; his sister Ardale, chief of Curriculum Implementation Division of the Department of Education, and Romeo Alipan, chairman of Barangay Larena, were among seven persons killed in Guihulngan in one day.

Mayors Jose Cardenas of Canlaon City, Merci Goni of Bais City, Peve Ligan of Sta. Catalina and Mabinay Vice Mayor Jango Uy said they are also for martial law.

Uy said there is nothing to fear, noting that martial law today is different from the martial law during the Marcos regime.

Isolated cases

However, Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo insisted that the killings were isolated cases. He said the President would declare martial law only if necessary.

Villahermoso Mayor Marianne Gustilo said she would support the President’s decision, but would request that her town be excluded from its coverage.

United Sugar Producers Federation of the Philippines president Manuel Lamata III said their group would support martial law since many of their members are agrarian reform beneficiaries, who are victims of harassment by armed men.

Negros Oriental first district Rep. Jocelyn Limkaichong said there is no need for martial law at this time since additional government troopers have been deployed in the province.

Brig. Gen. Benedict Arevalo, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, gave assurance that the military is on top of the situation.

“With or without martial law, the senseless killings should be stopped now,” Arevalo said.

Brig. Gen. Debold Sinas, Central Visayas police director, had earlier downplayed the possibility of declaring martial law, saying the incidents had been blown out of proportion.

Bad taste

Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, who attended the anniversary of Kabankalan City on Friday, said martial law leaves a bad taste in the mouth.

Gatchalian said the President could either declare a state of emergency in Negros Oriental or concerned local government units could declare a state of calamity on violence. 

In a pastoral letter, San Carlos Bishop Gerardo Alminaza appealed to the President not to declare martial law in Negros Oriental.

“Martial law is not the answer either to the centuries-old agrarian problem or to decades of armed rebellion. Martial rule during the Marcos era did not lead to genuine peace... it worsened the insurgency problem,” Alminaza said.

Tit for tat

The President said he ordered the police and military to give NPA rebels, whom he blamed for most of the killings, ”what they deserve.”

“I will give you tit for tat. That’s my order to the military,” Duterte said. ”Do it to them also.”

The President said he is waiting for the recommendation of his security advisers on how to address the unabated killings.

“I’ve been telling you, I will implement a more severe measure. You wait what is in store for you,” he said.

Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo had earlier said the President is considering using his emergency powers, including the declaration of martial law, to address the killings in Negros Oriental. – With Edith Regalado, Christina Mendez