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AFP
Manila
Controversial Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte threatened over the weekend to impose martial law to prosecute his deadly war on drugs.
His comments triggered deep anxiety in a nation still haunted by the dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos, which ended in 1986 with a famous 'People Power' uprising.
Duterte frequently makes controversial comments that he or his aides then seek to clarify or quash completely, making it hard to determine the government's position.
With his martial law threats attracting a barrage of criticism, there was a familiar outpouring of contradictory and confusing statements from various officials.
Duterte on Saturday night said:"If I wanted to, and it (the drug war) will deteriorate into something really very virulent, I will declare martial law if I wanted to. No one will be able to stop me."
And for emphasis he added:"If I have to declare martial law, I will declare it - not about invasion, insurrection, not about danger. I will declare martial law to preserve my nation - period."
Presidential spokesman Martin Andanar, however said afterwards that 'the president has categorically said no to martial law. He even made a pronouncement saying that martial law did not improve the lives of the Filipinos.'
He also added that:"We therefore decry the latest misreporting that the president will declare martial law simply 'if he wants to' or that 'no one can stop the president from declaring martial law'. Such headlines sow panic and confusion to many. We consider this kind of reportage as the height of journalistic irresponsibility."
Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre meanwhile stated that 'it's just an angry expression from the president and the public, especially the media, should not be surprised and should already be accustomed to the president.'
National police chief Ronald Dela Rosa said he will support the president if he declares martial law. Although he said he has doubts whether he will declare it.
Bristling at the comments by Andanar that reporters took Duterte's comments out of context, the local press also hit back via scathing editorials.
From the Manila Standard:"It is difficult to imagine how anybody could deny a direct quote, but Palace officials did it anyway. It is not the first time they have made fools of themselves and the president they serve."
From the Philippine Star:"The president may be familiar with the wartime admonition that loose lips sink ships. When one is prone to rambling in public, leaving a wide room for different interpretations, there is virtue in circumspection.
"If President Duterte sincerely believes imposing martial law is needless and stupid, he should just shut up about it."
