Duterte may declare nationwide martial law

MANILA: Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte may declare nationwide martial law if threatened protests by communists and other leftists against his rule turn violent or disrupt the country, his defence chief said.

However, Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana emphasised that he believes it is very unlikely martial law would be declared, but said the president is worried about threatened “massive” protests by the left.

“He said, if the left will try to have a massive protest, start fires on the streets, they will disrupt the country, then I might (declare martial law),” Lorenzana told reporters yesterday, recounting a conversation with Duterte this week.

“In my opinion, the possibility of this happening is very remote. But the president is indeed very concerned because it might get out of hand. So he said: ‘I might declare martial law.’”

The comments fuelled concerns by critics that Duterte is dragging the Philippines back into authori- tarian rule while waging a deadly war on drugs, three decades after a famous “People Power” revolution overthrew dictator Ferdinand Marcos.

A coalition of groups naming themselves the “Movement Against Tyranny” had announced it was planning protests on Sept 21, the 45th anniversary of Marcos imposing his military rule.

It said the protests, to be held at a park in the capital of Manila, would voice opposition against Duterte’s war on drugs that has claimed thou- sands of lives, as well as the president’s attacks on democratic institutions.

The coalition also voiced outrage at Duterte’s public support for Marcos, who died in US exile in 1989.

The announcement for the protest said its theme was: “Stop the Killings! Never Again to Tyranny and Dictatorship!”

The Movement Against Tyranny includes communists, leftist activists, Catholic bishops and rights groups. — AFP