With the recent spate of killings of local executives, Malacañang assured the public that martial law will not be declared in the country.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque reminded that the sole cause for President Rodrigo Duterte to declare martial law would either be an invasion or rebellion.
“So these killings, no matter how many, as long as there are no invaders and no uprising, will not be the reason to enforce martial law in the Philippines,” he explained in a radio interview.
Roque gave this statement after Senator Francis Pangilinan, President of the Liberal Party, alleged if the killings were to create “an atmosphere of lawlessness” to justify the rule of the President.
Furthermore, the spokesperson dismissed speculations that the government orchestrated the killings and remarked that the Philippine National Police found no connection established among the killings.
“All of these are considered crimes and are pending investigation by the PNP for a swift trial and punishment for the responsible,” he reassured
Cavite Vice Mayor Alexander Lubigan is the third official killed following the murders of Tanauan Mayor Antonio Halili and General Tinio Mayor Ferdinand Bote.
