Fisherfolk rejects return of martial law
Manila, Philippines – The fisherfolk group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (PAMALAKAYA-Pilipinas) on Monday criticized the statement of President Rodrigo Duterte that he will declare martial law if situation in the country becomes “virulent” and in order to “preserve the nation”. The fisherfolk group said declaration of martial law will once again lead to military dictatorship embedded with various human rights abuses against innocent civilians.
“The hands of the armed forces are already tainted with blood, their institution is already embedded with human rights violations and impunity, we fear that bringing back the military rule would heighten the dictatorial character of the already fascist Armed Forces of the Philippines,” Fernando Hicap, PAMALAKAYA Chairperson said in a statement.
PAMALAKAYA said Duterte should retain on his pronouncement before that he will not declare martial law because nothing happened during those dark days. Martial law will never be the solution to resolve ills of the society like proliferation of illegal drugs and crimes. The fisherfolk group said President Duterte should instead address why these anti-social activities prevail in the present societal system.
“Poverty, injustice and the government’s bureaucratic system should be addressed in order to resolve the persistent societal ill in the country instead of putting back the nation into military rule. Never again that we will allow those armed-fatigue men to impose their fascist rule in our country,”
“The Filipino people have surpassed the martial law and toppled a dictator before, we will again do so have this purported plot for martial law would become imminent and in the name of preserving the basic rights of the Filipino people,” Hicap ended. ###
