Robredo supports Duterte on declaring martial law in Mindanao
Vice President Leni Robredo expressed support to President Rodrigo Duterte's move to declare martial in Mindanao amid clashes in Marawi City. Facebook/Leni Robredo
MANILA, Philippines — "Kailangan tayo magkaisa."
This is what Vice President Leni Robredo said Friday following President Rodrigo Duterte's declaration of martial law in Mindanao.
Robredo said she will be supportive of Duterte's action to the crisis in Marawi City with the Maute terrorist group posing a big threat to the country. The military confirmed at least 31 Maute terrorists, 11 soldiers and two police officers were killed in the offensive operations.
"Gusto natin maging supportive sa administrasyon kasi sa tindi ng problema natin sa terorismo, hindi ito ang yung panahon na nag-aaway-away tayo," said Robredo.
She, however, said that she sees no basis to expand martial law to cover the entire country. Robredo also expressed concern over the possibility of human rights violations under the Duterte administration.
"Maraming nangangamba dahil sa karanasan natin sa pang-aabuso na nangyari sa ating bansa," Robredo said.
"Dahil dito kaya sa pagsuporta natin gusto din nating humingi ng assurance galing sa administrasyon at sa ating hukbong sandatahan na siguraduhin na hindi na ulit mangyayari iyong nangyari noong panahon ng diktadurya," she added.
In 1972, the Philippines was placed under the state of military rule by the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos supposedly to curb communist rebellion. Marcos' martial rule was marred by human rights abuses, torture and state-sponsored killings.
Robredo, a human rights lawyer and known critic of the Marcoses, strongly condemned the plunder, crimes and abuses attributed to the late strongman during his decades-long regime.
While Robredo trusts the government and the military in resolving the crisis in Mindanao, the vice president called on Filipinos to remain vigilant against the revival of dictatorship.
"Hindi natin papayagan na maging instrument ulit ito ng karahasan. Hindi natin papayagan na ito ang maging daan para magkaroon ulit ng nilabanan natin dati ng uri ng pamamahala," Robredo said.
"Sana hindi na ito bumalik," she added.
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