Rey Anthony H. Chiu
TAGBILARAN CITY, September 7 (PIA) — Expect random checkpoints, presence of
uniformed men in the streets, and peacekeeping authorities on full alert,
warned Bohol Deputy Chief for Police Operations, P/Superintendent Ricky
Delelis in a radio interview.
This as the recent
bombing in Davao City pushed President Rodrigo Duterte to declare a state of
lawlessness in the entire country to suppress criminals from further sowing
fear, terror, and violence.
Speaking at a local
radio program, Delelis narrated that a bombing has claimed at least 14 lives
and has sent scores of injured victims to various hospitals in Davao City,
government sources said.
The attack also had
people spreading speculations of the start of another martial law in the
country.
But both Malacanang and
Bohol police have assured there is no Martial Law and there has not been a
suspension of the writ of habeas corpus.
Earlier, Presidential
Spokesperson Ernesto Abella explained that the state of lawlessness is
rooted in Article VII, Section 18 of the constitution.
Section 18 for the
Philippine Constitution says the President shall be the Commander-in-Chief of
all armed forces of the Philippines and whenever it becomes necessary, he may
call out such armed forces to prevent or suppress lawless violence, invasion or
rebellion.
This means, in a state
of lawlessness, the commander in chief calls on the military to do law
enforcement operations to complement and supplement the capability of the
police to suppress lawless violence.
President Duterte’s
declaration of state of lawlessness is limited, explains Malacanang.
The right of the person
not to be put into unlawful detention without due process in a competent court
of law is still upheld, Malacanang said via an infographic circulated in the
morning of September 3.
The declaration is
limited that he can only call out the armed forces to suppress the lawless
violence, Abella said.
The declaration is a
different case [against martial law] which is declared when the country is in
the eminent danger of invasion or rebellion.
Since the moment of the
bombing, posts on social media have put in a number of unverified information,
some of them shared, forwarded, or reposted that it caused panic among
residents.
Over this, Philippine
Information Agency Director General Howard Clavite has called for sobriety
during the country’s tough times.
“We call on our
kababayans to exercise prudence and to please stop spreading unverified reports
related to the current situation in Davao, public safety and/or national
security,” Clavite said.
He also called for the
responsible use of technology and social media.
“It is so we don't cause
unnecessary panic and fear. If you need to verify information, we, at the
Philippine Information Agency, will try our best to help, the director of the
office which keeps information centers in the country’s provinces assured.”
“It is very easy to
share, forward, or repost information and so we call on our kababayans to
exercise prudence and to please stop spreading unverified
reports," Clavite urged.
Residents are urged to
avoid crowded spaces, but although it is not any cause for alarm, it is always
wise to be cautious.
With the declaration,
local authorities have been asking people to be vigilant and to report to
authorities any sighting of a person who acts weird and in the act of
committing a crime.
With the random
checkpoints all over the country, PIA is urging everyone to cooperate during
checkpoints.
"Stop the engine,
turn off your headlights, and turn on the cabin lights for the street
inspection," Camp Dagohoy authorities here said.
Let us all remain calm
and be alert at all times, authorities have issued the call.
(rmn/rac/PIA7-Bohol)