President Rodrigo Duterte has issued a stern warning against criminals amid the rising crime rate in the country, adding that ‘radical changes’ should be expected in the coming days.
Duterte released this statement upon his arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) after his official visit to South Korea, also saying that these changes will cover criminals inside and outside the government.
“Wina-warning ko lang kayong mga kriminal, lahat na. Nasa gobyerno, nasa labas. I will make radical changes in the days to come,” Duterte said
“There are too many crimes and too many claiming to be this and that, ” he president added.
Duterte cited that most complaints come from investors who are afraid to be killed or kidnapped in the country.
“Most of the complaints here is they (investors) won’t enter for fear of being kidnapped or killed. Well, somehow, even with this meager emergency power, I will use it to the hilt and put things in order,” Duterte explained.
Duterte also claimed that there is a blurred line between Martial Law and a state of national emergency.
“Well, remember that there is — there’s no difference actually between martial law and a declaration of national emergency. So I’ve been warning all. Lahat. I’m warning all including the Human Rights, it’s either we behave or we will have a serious problem again,” he said.
Duterte had previously declared a state of emergency and Martial Law in Marawi.
In September 2016, Duterte issued Presidential Proclamation 55, declaring a state of national emergency in Mindanao due to violence in the region.
Later on, Duterte declared the whole region of Mindanao under Martial Law after ISIS-inspired Maute rebels attacked Marawi City.
