Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo. INQUIRER file photo
President Rodrigo Duterte鈥檚 recent order to deploy more troops in some provinces in the country is not in preparation for a nationwide declaration of martial law, Malaca帽ang said Monday.
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the Memorandum Order 32, which calls for the deployment of more military and police to Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Bicol Region and Samar to suppress 鈥渓awless violence鈥�, was issued in accordance with the 鈥渃onstitutional duty of the President to protect the people.鈥�
鈥淲e repeatedly said, if there is any intention, then it should have been declared. But there is none,鈥� Panelo said in a Palace briefing.
鈥淣ow, with respect to why there is a need鈥� as we have repeatedly said, there is a need for that because those areas need to be secured,鈥� he added.
Under MO 32, the government ordered the deployment of additional forces to Bicol, Samar, and Negros provinces where a 鈥渘umber of sporadic acts of violence鈥� occurred which was allegedly committed by lawless groups.
搁贰础顿:听Duterte sends more troops in Bicol, Samar, Negros vs 鈥榣awless violence鈥�
Malaca帽ang made the clarification after the order was met with heavy criticisms.
Vice President Leni Robredo said many people were spooked by the term 鈥渓awless violence,鈥� as it was one of the grounds that may be invoked to declare martial law.
She also said that the Duterte administration should look into the resurgence of the communist insurgency, claiming that 鈥渋t was almost gone鈥� under previous administrations.
For his part, Senator Panfilo Lacson said the issuance could part of the administration鈥檚 plan for the declaration of martial law or the suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus.
搁贰础顿:听Duterte order to deploy troops stumps Lacson