VICE President Leni Robredo on Friday expressed support on the move of President Rodrigo Duterte to impose martial law in Mindanao amid the clash between government troops and terrorist group Maute in Marawi City.
In an interview, Robredo said that the Filipino people need to trust the President's proclamation as he was likely more knowledgeable and was guided by more verified information on the ground.
"[T]umitiwala tayo na ang ating pangulo ay maraming information na nalalaman na hindi natin alam kaya sya nag aact accordingly doon sa impormasyong ibigay," Robredo said.
However, Robredo is asking for an "assurance" from the administration and the military that the martial law experienced by Filipinos during the regime of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos will not be repeated by Duterte.
"Iyon lang ang hinihingi natin, ang 'pag intindi sa pangamba ng marami dahil sa karanasan nating lahat," she said.
"Gusto rin nating humingi ng assurance galing sa administrasyon at sa hukbong sandatahan na siguraduhin na hindi na ulit mangyayari iyung nangyari noong panahon ng diktaturya," Robredo added.
The Vice President called on the people to be "vigilant" against the possibility of using martial law as an "instrument" for violence.
Nevertheless, Robredo said that the Filipino must unite in supporting the President especially during this time of crisis in the country.
"Gusto natin maging supportive sa administrasyon kasi sa tindi ng ating problema sa terorismo, hindi ito yung panahon na mag away-away...[G]usto nating ipahayag ang suporta natin sa ating pangulo at sa hukbong sandatahan. Kailangan tayong magkaisa," Robredo said.
The Philippines was placed under martial law for the first time in 1972 by Marcos. His regime was marred by human rights abuses that led to his ouster and paved way for a revision of the Constitution implementing stricter guidelines in declaring martial law. (SunStar Philippines)