Nothing to fear about martial law — Dela Rosa

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa on Monday said there is nothing to fear about the nationwide expansion of martial law. (Photo: Philippine National Police/Facebook)

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa on Monday said there is nothing to fear about the nationwide expansion of martial law, but ‘bad’ people should be cautious.

“As I have said, depende sa kanya (President Rodrigo Duterte). Desisyon niya ‘yan, hindi ko siya papangunahan, it is dependent on his own determination. Anyway, bakit, takot na takot ba kayo sa martial law (It is his decision. I cannot preempt him. Anyway, why are you scared of martial law)?” Dela Rosa told reporters after their Christmas party inside Camp Crame.

The PNP Chief uttered this statement after Congress approved the one-year extension of martial law in Mindanao, following the recommendation of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the PNP.

Dela Rosa said skeptics should go visit Mindanao and ask Mindanaoans themselves how they feel about the imposition of military rule before they oppose or be scared of it.

“My neighbors, friends, relatives will say wala namang pagbabago. Sa mga peace-loving people walang pagbabago kung may martial law o wala sa (For peace-loving people, there is no change if there is or there is no martial law in) Mindanao. The same. Pero sa mga masasamang tao malaki ang epekto sa kanila (But for bad people, the effect is huge),” Dela Rosa said.

“Their movements are restricted. Their diskarte (strategy) is limited at karamihan sa kanila nagtatago. ‘Yun ang epekto ng martial law sa (Most of them were hiding. That’s the effect of martial law in) Mindanao,” he added.

Asked if he would recommend a martial law nationwide, the PNP chief said he would wait for the recommendation of his subordinate as he assesses first the situation.

“When my subordinates, my regional directors, ay mag-recommend sa akin na (would recommend to me) sir, mas maganda siguro i-martial law na natin (It’s better if we impose martial law). It is my obligation to recommend it to the President,” he said.

Dela Rosa said he has not reached out to his regional commanders ever since martial law was extended, but he said he checks on them from time to time.

The PNP chief also came to their recommendation’s defense of extending martial law in Mindanao, saying that it was not an admission that they won’t be able to stamp out terrorism without it.

“Mas kayang sugpuin kung may martial law (We are more equipped to stop [terrorism] with martial law.) Kaya naming sugpuin without martial law (We can suppress it without martial law), but it will give us a favorable working condition, a favorable operational environment. Kung merong (If there is) martial law, that will make our job a lot more easier,” Dela Rosa said.

Voting 240-27 without abstention in a joint session on Wednesday, Congress approved the extension of martial law in Mindanao until December 31, 2018.