MANILA—Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II on Monday said that President Rodrigo Duterte’s statement on the declaration of martial law only seeks to show his anger over the illegal drugs trade in the country.
“It is an angry expression of the President and the public and the media should not be surprised but rather be already accustomed to the mindset of the President,” Aguirre said.
Aguirre said the President has clearly stated his position on the issue, saying he is against such move since it did not improve the lives of Filipinos when then president
(Photo by SIMEON CELI JR./Presidential Photo)
s placed the country under martial law from 1972 to 1981.
He said recent anti-drug operations, including the seizure of more than PHP3.6 billion worth of illegal drugs late last month in separate operations in San Juan City, has also intensified the President’s concern about the menace of the illegal drugs trade, adding this could be the reason why the he expressed such sentiment on the matter.