Duterte's military takeover threat was warning

Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles clarified that President Duterte's threat of a military takeover to enforce the enhanced community quarantine was merely a warning to deter violators and stubborn individuals.

Nograles explained that the 1987 Constitution clearly states that martial law can only be declared in cases of rebellion or invasion, neither of which are applicable to a pandemic situation.

The President's statement was intended to emphasize his authority to mobilize the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to impose order if necessary.

President Duterte had previously warned the public to behave and expressed his order for the military and police to be on standby to enforce social distancing and curfew measures.

The Inter-agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases will convene to discuss potential scenarios and guidelines for the period after April 30, the current end date of the enhanced community quarantine.

Any recommendations from the IATF will be submitted to the President for final decision, which will be influenced by the level of public cooperation with quarantine measures.