Martial law 'if public asks for it,' says Duterte
MANILA, Philippines — He once described it as a "useless policy" that could bring about the downfall of the country but President Rodrigo Duterte said he would declare martial law if there is a public clamor for it.
Asked at a press conference on Monday if he ever considered placing parts of Mindanao under martial law, Duterte said: "When the time comes that they will be asking for it, I'll give it to them. Remember this Philippines, if you ask for it and if you tell me 'Mr. President, let us declare martial law.' I will tell you 'I'll think about it first.'"
"Kung kayo na mismo ang maghingi at baka dadating 'yung mga scenario na 'yun, sabihin ko lang, 'huwag muna, okay pa naman, madala pa naman sa presinto, presinto (If you yourself ask for it and perhaps we will reach that scenario, I will just tell you 'not yet,' we're still okay. We can still solve this through our precincts),'" he added.
"But when the time comes na ang tao na ang maghingi, ibibigay ko (that the people are asking for it, I will give it to them)."
Duterte hinted though that he has no plan to place the country under military rule as he clarified that he is still "satisfied" with what he has right now.
"But ako satisfied na ako. (I'm statisfied). I'm quite adept with the… what… what is available to me now. Tutal nakakagalaw man sila (They can move around). They are doing their duty. They are being commissioned to do police work," he said.
A Pulse Asia survey conducted last December revealed that seven in ten Filipinos believe that martial law would not solve the problems of the country.
There have been fears that Duterte might use the drug menace and the violence in Mindanao to declare martial law but the president has denied this. He said there is no compelling reason to adopt the policy, which he said did not do anything to improve the lives of Filipinos. "
Duterte revealed earlier this month though that if he decides to declare martial law to preserve the country, he would do so quietly.
The president is also not convinced that the killing of South Korean businessman Jee Ick Joo is being used by a retired general to embarrass the Philippine National Police and his administration.
"So this stupid police general will kidnap and kill just to undermine me? Ypu want that kind of leader? 'Yan ang gusto ninyong mga leader? That's the kind of police general that you want? To undermine the country, wreaking havoc to the economy, what? Because they want to take over, to kill a Korean, burn him, and flush him down the drain?" Duterte said.
"That's the only way he can think of? That's so stupid. Son of a b****," he added.
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