QUEZON City, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte has asked the cooperation of local officials in Mindanao in his war against terrorism and drugs, saying he might be forced to declare martial law there if they do not help the government.
“I am asking you because I don’t want the trouble in Mindanao to spin out of control because then as president, I will be forced, I will be compelled to exercise extraordinary powers,” the President said.
President Duterte added that if such cooperation is not given, he may resort to exercising extraordinary powers, like declaring martial law in Mindanao.
“If you would just insist, after all the police forces are at your disposal, and you can ask the military commanders to pitch in for help if needed. Why don’t you just also take advantage?”
“Either you help me or I will declare martial law tomorrow for Mindanao,” he added.
However, Duterte had also repeatedly claimed that he would not want to declare martial law since it will traumatize the Filipino people.
“That is my problem now. Help me. If not, you know, martial law, then I have to authorize the military just to arrest you detain you and it will not be good for our people and they would go into a trauma,” Duterte said.
The President, in January, had earlier said that he would only declare martial law as a “last resort” and only “to preserve my nation.”