Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte declared a nationwide “state of lawlessness” Saturday after the blast in his hometown, where he was the longtime mayor.
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After the end of a late-night meeting with Duterte at Matina Enclaves, Lorenzana told Rappler on Sunday morning, September 4, hours that “No curfew will be implemented”.
However, Duterte made it clear that his declaration did not amount to an imposition of martial law. This declaration, while holding authority on its own, is still yet to be followed by a formal document that would further legitimize the president’s orders.
He said Duterte “can call out the military as commander-in-chief by virtue of the constitution”.
He assuaged concerns over the possibility of a creeping martial law, saying the status invoked by the President in the wake of the Davao City bombing would not suspend civil liberties. And he handled them very well in his time for me.
She also announced the appointment of Col. Benny de Leon as the new chief of the Public Safety and Security Command Center, which also houses the Emergency Central 911. “I did not need to tell her what to do”, said Duterte. “The people are becoming more afraid, we have to unite and fight this terror”, Dela Rosa said.
Sen. Francis Escudero said anyone questioning the declaration can raise the issue before the Supreme Court.
Duterte clarified that the “state of lawlessness” is not synonymous to martial law, adding it merely requires “well-coordinated efforts of the military and the police”.
P2-MILLION BOUNTY Meanwhile, the city government of Davao is offering a P1million reward for information that will lead to the capture of those responsible for the explosion at the Roxas night market Friday, and another P1 million to anyone who can bring in one of the suspects. “We’ve got to give it to the people of Mindanao to make it business as usual because if they cower in fear you’re giving in to terrorist initiatives”, he said.
For the other P1 million for the capture of a suspect, Ms. Carpio stressed that they want him or her “alive”. “We are also confident that the government will continue to pursue the anti-illegal drug and anticrime campaign along with the offensive operations against the Abu Sayyaf, until the bandits are wiped out”, Alvarez said.
Arroyo maintained that when she was president, she relied on the judgment of security officials on whether such a declaration is needed.
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The responsibility of the attack was claimed by the Abu Sayyaf, an extremist group based in southern Philippines. She had meant to visit the wakes of the victims on Tuesday.
