Exclusive - 'Nag-martial law tayo noon. Gumaling ba ang buhay natin? Wala.' Duterte Says He Will Not Declare Martial Law! Read More Here!

On an interview on Thursday, President Rodrigo Duterte reassured troubled Filipinos that he won't be declaring Martial Law in the future for it didn't improve our lives in the past.

"Nag-martial law tayo noon. Gumaling ba ang buhay natin? Wala," he said in a speech at the third Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) in Davao City.

People are bothered that the president's approval of Ferdinand Marcos' burial in the Libingan Ng Mga Bayani will be the starting point of a declaration of Martial Law. 

"Kaya itong taga-Maynila, akala nila magagalit ako ngayon, martial law dito, martial law doon, barilan dito, barilan doon," he said. 

Historians believe that Marcos' proclamation of Martial Law on September 21, 1972 was one of the darkest times Philippines ever went through because of the countless human rights violations.

However, Duterte stressed that Martial Law won't be necessary even with the ongoing security situation in Mindanao.

"Martial law for what? Killing people? I would rather empower every mayor," said Duterte.

"Kapag galing sa akin, mag-martial law, kalokohan 'yan," he added.

The law under Section 18, Article VII of the 1987 Constitution empowers the president the right to declare martial law, subject to the Congressional approval.

Duterte's pronouncement ensured the massive rallyists that they have the president's backing. 

Still, the president said on a speech in Davao City last November 13 that he may be forced to suspend the writ of habeas corpus if lawlessness due to "rebellion being waged" in Mindanao, continues.

Source: TNP , GMA