Pubdate: Sun, 15 Jan 2017
Source: Daily Star, The (Bangladesh)
Copyright: 2017 The Daily Star
Contact:  http://www.thedailystar.net
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3893

DUTERTE THREATENS MARTIAL LAW TO WAGE HIS DRUG WAR

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has threatened to impose martial rule
to prosecute his deadly war on drugs, three decades after the nation shed
dictatorship with a famous "People Power" revolt.

"If I wanted to, and it (the illegal drugs problem) will deteriorate into
something really very virulent, I will declare martial law if I wanted to.
No one will be able to stop me," Duterte said in a speech on Saturday
night.

The 71-year-old former state prosecutor said the aim would be "to preserve
the Filipino people and the youth of this land".

Duterte won elections in May last year on a pledge to wipe out illegal
drugs, promising an unprecedented crackdown to stop the Philippines from
becoming what he termed a narco state.

The crackdown has left at least 5,700 people dead in just over six months,
raising concerns of a breakdown in the rule of law with security forces
and vigilantes carrying out extrajudicial killings.

The Philippines' longtime ally, the United States, has led international
criticism of the killings, with outgoing President Barack Obama urging
Duterte to stop his war "the right way".

Duterte has reacted furiously to the criticism and vowed to continue his
war until illegal drugs are eradicated.

Martial rule would allow Duterte to use the military to enforce civilian
law and detain people at length without charging them.

The Philippines last endured martial law during the 20-year rule of
dictator Ferdinand Marcos, who was accused of plundering billions of
dollars from state coffers and overseeing widespread rights abuses.

Duterte, speaking to local businessmen in his southern home town of Davao
city, warned he could ignore a 60-day limit that the parliament is allowed
to repeal it.

"And I'd tell you now, if I have to declare martial law, I will declare it
- -- not about invasion, insurrection, not about danger. I will declare
martial law to preserve my nation -- period," he said.
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