MANILA, Philippines–President Rodrigo Duterte’s State of Lawlessness proclamation in 2016 remains in place and can be used to quell violence in Negros Oriental, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said Friday. Before imposing martial law, Guevarra reminded that the constitutional requirements state that there must be rebellion or state of invasion and when public interest requires it must exist. “If met, then, the President will have the legal basis to declare martial law in Negros Oriental. Otherwise, if there is no rebellion there, no invasion there, the President can make use of the other proclamation,” Guevarra explained. Under State of Lawlessness, the President can only call out the military to help the police to suppress violence.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer August 02, 2019 08:37 UTC