Duterte threatens martial law as part of war on drugs

PHILIPPINES: President Rodrigo Duterte has threatened to declare martial law in his war on drugs, adding to fears that he is a dictator in the making.

In a speech in his home city of Davao, Duterte dismissed constitutional constraints on the presidency that were imposed after the overthrow of Ferdinand Marcos, who used martial law to persecute opponents.

‘‘I will declare martial law if I want to, nobody can stop me,’’ Duterte said.

‘‘I don’t care about the supreme court because the right to preserve one’s life and my nation, my country, transcends everything else, even the [constitutional] limitations. If I want to, and [if the drug situation] will deteriorate into something really, really virulent, I will declare martial law.’’

Duterte was elected by a decisive margin last year with promises to crush the drug trade.

Since he took office in June more than 6000 people, most of them small-time dealers and users, have been killed by police and vigilantes. Human rights organisations, western governments and the United Nations have deplored the president’s flouting of the rule of law.

Now he has given his clearest indication so far that he is ready to suspend it altogether. After Marcos was forced into exile in 1986, a democratically elected government drew up a constitution with limits on the use of martial law. It can be imposed for up to 60 days and only in case of invasion or rebellion.

Congress can vote it down after 48 hours and the court can declare it illegal. As is the case with many other subjects, Duterte has made contradictory remarks about martial law. Last month he appeared to dismiss the possibility of its return. ’’We had martial law before,’’ he said. ‘‘What happened? Did it improve our lives now? Not at all.’’

On Saturday, however, he said: ‘‘The 60-day [limit] will be gone. And I’ll tell you now, if I have to declare martial law, I will declare it ... to preserve my nation.’’

In the same speech to a group of businessmen, the president promised that he would ‘‘blast’’ armed groups carrying out kidnap for ransom, even if it meant that hostages became ‘‘collateral damage’’.

‘‘You can’t gain mileage for your wrongdoing - I will really have you blasted,’’ he said, directing his remarks at various armed groups who have made parts of the southern Philippines dangerous for visitors from overseas.

"I will declare martial law if I want to, nobody can stop me." President Rodrigo Duterte