Palace: Duterte not using COVID-19 to declare martial law

Malacañang clarified that President Duterte is not using the COVID-19 crisis as a basis for declaring martial law.

President Duterte had previously stated that he might impose martial rule if communist rebels continue their attacks, particularly against state forces delivering aid.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque dismissed the criticisms, stating that the President's pronouncements are based on the Constitution and that the pandemic is a global issue.

The 1987 Constitution allows a president to declare martial law only in cases of invasion, rebellion, or when public safety necessitates it.

Duterte previously declared martial law in Mindanao in 2017 to quell a rebellion by extremist groups, which ended in December last year.

Senator Francis Pangilinan opposed the potential martial law declaration, citing its ineffectiveness against the communist insurgency during the Marcos regime and arguing that an 'iron hand' cannot combat the COVID-19 virus.