Negros killings: Duterte mulls emergency powers

Negros Oriental cop chief relieved

MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte is considering the use of emergency powers, including the declaration of martial law, to end the spate of killings in Negros Oriental.

“The Chief Executive is cautioning the enemies of the state in the island of Negros that he will use his emergency powers under the Constitution to quell the lawless violence engulfing the island as well as to crush all forms of threats aimed to destroy the government,” presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said yesterday.

This developed as the police chief of Negros Oriental was relieved from his post yesterday to pave the way for an impartial probe. Col. Raul Tacaca was replaced by Col. Angelito Dumangeng, Central Visayas police deputy regional director for operations, Philippine National Police chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde said.

At least 21 people, including four police officers, a former mayor, a barangay captain and a lawyer have been shot dead in Negros Oriental since last week.

Panelo said Duterte is keen on using his constitutional powers “to serve and protect the Filipino people at any cost, and to fiercely save the republic from ruin.”

He said Duterte “vows to replicate the atrocious acts done by the communist rebels to the civilians, the barangay officials and the law enforcers against these murderers, in defense of our countrymen.”

The military has pointed to the New People’s Army as the perpetrator of the killings. The NPA, on the other hand, blames the murders on the so-called Davao Death Squad.

Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesman Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo said there is no proposal so far from the AFP to declare martial law in Negros, which has been described as a killing field in Western Visayas due to the violence.

“The President declares, we only recommend. If our recommendation is sought... we can consult local executives,” Arevalo said.

He said the AFP is assessing the security situation on the ground, and does not see the need to augment the troops at this time. – With Jaime Laude, Gilbert Bayoran