Manila: Malacanang Palace has expressed concern over the growing incidents of violence in certain parts of the country, with officials stopping short of saying martial law will be declared in affected areas.
The remarks follow Thursday’s move by Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte authorising Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea to issue Memorandum Order (MO) No 32, a directive authorising the deployment of more police and military personnel in the provinces of Samar, Negros Oriental and Negros Occidental, as well as the Bicol Region.
The move was necessitated by what officials described as “sporadic acts” of violence allegedly committed by lawless groups. The concerned areas are strongholds of the communist New Peoples’ Army (NPA), with the insurgents believed to be responsible for most of the attacks.
Pertaining to MO 32, presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said the deployment of additional state forces in the affected areas was necessary to guarantee citizens’ fundamental rights.
He cited the ambush of soldiers on a relief mission in Northern Samar, attacks on a police station in Lapinig and on government soldiers in Matuguinao, and the attempt to kill San Jose de Buan’s former mayor.
In Negros Oriental province, suspected rebels torched heavy equipment in Manjuyod. They also targeted police detachments and killed a police chief in separate attacks in Guihulngan.
Nine farmers were massacred in Sagay, Negros Occidental province, while Food and Drug Administration director-general Nela Charade Puno’s convoy came under attack in Camarines Sur, the Bicol Region. There were also clashes in Lagonoy.
“Civil and political rights, as well as all existing rules and applicable jurisprudence during a state of national emergency, shall remain observed by the armed forces and police,” said Panelo, stressing that the presidential palace’s declaration did not amount to martial law.
However, the Philippine Commission on Human Rights (CHR) said the order to deploy more state forces in the concerned areas could worsen the situation.
“The government should address the roots of violence and crime in these areas to truly stop the cycle of violence,” CHR spokesperson Jacqueline De Guia said, pointing out that in some cases, such as the massacre of farmers in Sagay, land ownership was at the centre of the dispute.
“We call on the government to address these problems instead of simply increasing the presence of security forces, which may escalate tensions and fuel fear in the community,” De Guia said.