MANILA, Philippines — Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque clarified that President Rodrigo Duterte only wants to “intensify” the government’s war against crime and illegal drugs when he said “radical change” is coming.
In a press briefing on Thursday, Roque said that while he does not know the details of those “radical changes”, Duterte has “reiterated that while we have been combating crime and prohibited drugs since Day 1 of his administration, apparently we can do more.”
“What he (Duterte) meant when he said 'anticipate reforms'—he wants to intensify the war against criminality and illegal drugs,” Roque said in a mix of Filipino and English.
The president, upon his arrival from a three-day official visit to South Korea, said: “I already warned criminals, everyone; those in government and those outside. I will make radical changes in the days to come.”
READ: National emergency? Duterte to act vs rampant crime
Roque said the president is frustrated at the reported increase in mugging incidents and the killing of a pregnant state prosecutor in Metro Manila.
On Monday, Office of the Ombudsman Assistant Special Prosecutor Madonna Joy Tanyag was stabbed to death in broad daylight. The authorities arrested the suspect, jeepney barker Angelito Galvez Avenido Jr., on the same day.
Police said that the suspect tested positive for drugs.
The chief executive also said that those “offices that cannot be controlled” will be transferred under the Office of the President.
Roque said that he has yet to clarify with Duterte which offices he was referring to. He added, however, that he has been in contact with Philippine National Police Director General Oscar Albayalde on Thursday morning. “We are gearing up. We are doing better in fight against criminality,” said Roque.
State of national emergency?
Roque said he has yet to check with the president when asked to clarify what Duterte meant when he said there was “not difference actually between martial law and declaration of national emergency.”
He said Duterte may have only been “referring to both being powers of the chief executive.” They are, however, different powers.
Martial law has been in place in Mindanao since May 2017 in response to an attack by Islamic State-linked terrorists on Marawi City in Lanao del Sur. The entire country, meanwhile, has been in a state of national emergency since 2016 after a bombing at the night market in Davao City.
The presidential spokesman, however, said that he will issue a statement later in the afternoon once he clarifies with Duterte.
Administration critics have raised concerns that martial law in Mindanao could be a prelude to a nationwide declaration while activists have warned against a supposed crackdown on dissenters.
The Palace has downplayed those concerns, saying the government is committed to upholding the freedoms of speech and expression.