MANILA,
May 24 (PNA) — President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday assured the public that
he will not allow abuses in the implementation of martial law in Mindanao amid
concerns raised on the possibility of human rights abuses similar to those
perpetrated during the Marcos era.
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| President Rodrigo Roa Duterte |
The
President made the assurance in a press briefing shortly upon arriving at the
Ninoy Aquino International Airport from a shortened official visit to Russia.
“I
will assure you I am not willing to allow abuses. Government is still running,
the Congress is functioning, and the courts are open for citizens to seek
grievance,” Duterte stressed.
He
also assured the public that in all decisions and actions, the primordial concern
is the safety and welfare of the people.
“It
is our Constitutional mandate to enforce the law and provide security. It is
our Constitutional duty to ensure that every family, every community, all
Filipinos, are assured to live in peace and harmony. We will stay true to our
mandate and duty, this I can assure everyone,” Duterte said.
The
President cut short his visit to Moscow after declaring martial law in Mindanao
following violent clashes between government troops and the Maute Group in
Marawi City on Tuesday.
The
clashes erupted after security forces troops raided the hideout of Isnilon
Hapilon, an Abu Sayyaf leader who has been tagged as the head of the
Islamic-inspired terror group in the Philippines.
Duterte
said the series of terror acts committed by the Maute group, which included the
taking over and burning of several government facilities, establishing
checkpoints within the city and flying the ISIS flag, constituted the crime of
rebellion.
The
acts committed by the terrorist group also resulted in the loss of lives of
government forces as well as the displacement of innocent civilians.
“These
things government cannot allow. It is an open defiance and the violence, the
atrocities continue. Government must put an end to this. I cannot gamble with
ISIS because they are everywhere. And, you know what is happening or you must
be very aware of what happened in the Middle East,” the President said.
With
the declaration of martial law, the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus is
likewise suspended in the entire Mindanao island, including the provinces of
Basilan, Tawi-Tawi and Sulu.
“Checkpoints
will be allowed; searches will be allowed; arrest without a warrant will be
allowed in Mindanao. And I do not need to secure any search warrant or a
warrant of arrest,” Duterte said.
However,
the President said that law-abiding citizens have nothing to worry about the
imposition of martial law.
“Remember
that this is not intended for the law-abiding citizens. We are the least of
your worry,” he said.
“But
if you confront government, and my orders are one: to enforce the law. And
anyone caught possessing a gun and confronting us with violence, my orders are
shoot to kill,” he said.
“I
said, I will not allow abuses. The courts are open. But anyone now holding a
gun, confronting government with violence, my orders are spare no one. Let us
solve the problem of Mindanao once and for all,” Duterte said.
The
President likewise said that he may consider expanding the areas covered by
martial law to include the Visayas.
“Government
may consider the covered areas of Martial Law in the event that members of the
Maute group and other ISIS affiliated terrorists seek sanctuary or expand their
terroristic activities in the Visayas and Mindanao.” he said. (PNA)
