ILOCOS Norte governor Imee Marcos said on Monday, June 25, that there are no similarities between President Rodrigo Duterte and her father, the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos.
“Not really, they’re both lawyers. That's about it,” the younger Marcos said in an interview in Camp Crame.
“Not at all. You're asking the wrong person,” she added when she asked if she noticed any similarities between her father and Duterte.
Duterte is being compared to the older Marcos who ruled the country for over 20 years by placing it under martial law.
The Marcos era was characterized by massive human rights violations and suppression of civil rights.
Duterte has been likened to the older Marcos because of his war on drugs, which has resulted in the killing of thousands of suspected drug personalities, and his recently launched campaign to clear the streets of potential troublemakers at night.
Duterte also declared martial law in Mindanao, shortly after terrorists occupied Marawi City. The conflict lasted five months in 2017. Martial law is in effect in Mindanao until the end of the year.
Meanwhile, Marcos said she does not think the government’s operations against loiterers or “tambays” would lead to the declaration of martial law in the entire country.
“I don’t think so. It’s entirely unnecessary. President Duterte has declared martial law when necessary, otherwise he hasn’t,” she said.
“Bakit pa siya magkukubli? Bakit pa siya magkukunwari at magsisinungaling kung talagang martial law ang kinakailangan? Nakita naman natin buong tapang niyang idineklara. So bakit pa siya mag-aalinlangan kapag kinailangan mo ‘yun?” she added.
She however expressed support for the government’s goal to clear the streets of loiterers and keep these safe for the public especially at night.
“Hindi lahat ng tambay inosente. Alam natin ‘yan sa ating kaprobinsiyahan sa ating bukid at sa mga nayon,” Marcos said.
Over 11,000 people were accosted in the so-called “Oplan tambay” being conducted by the PNP following the order of Duterte.
Following criticisms and Duterte's clarification that he did not order the arrest of loiterers, the PNP has dropped the term "tambay" and reiterated that they have arrested only those who violated local ordinances.
Of the 11,000 accosted so far, PNP chief Oscar Albayalde said only 96 were arrested and charged. (SunStar Philippines)