'MARTIAL LAW POSSIBLE'
Panelo says Duterte may take stringent measures to put an end to violence in Negros Oriental
PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte may declare Martial Law in Negros Oriental if recommended by the Local Government Unit and the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
However, the AFP had stated no formal recommendations had been forwarded and they are consulting the province’s local chief executives.
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said Thursday that the President may “soon” be forced to use his emergency powers, such as the promulgation of
martial law in Negros Oriental, due to the spate of violence in the province.
“He has many options under the Constitution. He can call the armed forces to quell lawless violence. He can declare martial law,” he added.
Panelo said the deployment of more than 300 Special Action Force (SAF) operatives is not enough to stop the killings of civilians in the province.
He stressed that the President needs to take “stringent” measures to put an end to violence in Negros Oriental.
“From the judgment of the President, it appears to be so, especially he mentioned last night that mas marami ang sumusporta ngayon sa mga NPA (many are supporting the NPA now),” Panelo said, when asked if SAF commandos cannot totally quell lawless acts in the province.
“The President doesn’t want this (spate of killings in Negros Oriental) to happen. He wants it stop. The only way to do that is to use his emergency powers,” he added.
Earlier, PNP Chief Oscar Albayalde ordered to augment the police force in Negros by sending 300 members of the PNP Special Action Force and said that there will be no martial in Negros Oriental.
The PNP chief also ordered the relief of Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office director, Police Colonel Raul Tacaca in order to give way to an impartial probe over possible lapses he committed due to the killings.
Meanwhile Duterte has increased the reward against the New People’s Army (NPA) insurgents responsible for the murder of four police officers in the town of Ayungon in Negros Oriental to P5 million.
In a statement forwarded by Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo, an additional P100,000 will also be given to anyone who can capture the suspects.
He further stated Duterte had given a stern warning to the rebels, accusing them of exploiting current land disputes in Negros Oriental.
Duterte had also vowed to replicate the atrocious acts committed by the rebels against barangay officials and law enforcers./with notes from Sunstar Philippines