05 Sep President Rodrigo Duterte Declares ‘State of Lawlessness’ to Protect the Country
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte declares a “state of lawlessness” in the Philippines authorizing the military and police to conduct security searches on vehicles and inspecting individuals in checkpoints. But President Duterte clarified that this declaration is different from the martial law as there will be “no curfews” and “no suspension of the writ of habeas corpus.”
He also told the reporters early Saturday morning, “Any punitive action that will be taken by the security forces will be in a bid to stop terrorism.”
He said that this declaration is for the protection of the country and the people given his intensified drug operations, extrajudicial killings and terrorism not only Davao but also in some areas, particularly in Mindanao. President Duterte also cited recent bombings in some areas of Mindanao.
President Duterte asked the public to cooperate with searches and inspections in all checkpoints as he also declared a lockdown in the city. He stated, “We know that this is not a fascist state. I cannot control the movement of the citizens of the city and every Filipino has the right to enter and leave Davao. It is unfortunate we cannot stop and frisk anybody for just any reason.”
He added, “But I am declaring the entire country on alert.”
President Duterte also said that there are leads to identify suspects who were responsible for this tragic incident. Yet, he would not affirm if the blast is related to his all-out war against the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG). As the ASG forewarned to do retaliatory actions in Mindanao, the President said it would be obvious to pinpoint the terrorist group.
The President did not disregard that the explosion can also be done by drug syndicates. He also mentioned the Maute group members who escaped from prison in Lanao.
It would be illiberal to just point to a group since terrorism is everywhere, the President said.
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