PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) Chief Oscar Albayalde said there is no recommendation to declare martial law on Negros Island despite the spate of killings.
He also said President Rodrigo Duterte has not asked the police to make any recommendation.
“It's up to the President. We cannot second guess the President on that. Depende sa maging decision ng ating pangulo yan at depende sa appreciation nya at ‘yung probably meron naman syang security council, may mga security advisers ang ating pangulo,” Albayalde said in a press conference here in Camp Crame on Monday, July 29.
“Ang sa amin naman ang binibigay natin sa presidente is what is actually happening. We don't recommend as of yet. Wala kaming sinasabi at wala naman kasing tinatanong ‘yung ating presidente on our recommendations,” he added.
Eighteen people have been reported to have been fatally shot across Negros Oriental province since July 18.
The victims included the four policemen who were executed allegedly by communist rebels in Barangay Mabato, Ayungon town on July 18 as well as suspected supporters and members of the communist movement.
Albayalde has ordered the deployment of over 300 Special Action Force (SAF) men to Negros.
He said the local police is still assessing the situation there.
“We can't say na it's getting out of hand. Hindi naman siguro kasi this is confined in an area lang, sa isang lugar, hindi naman the whole Negros island but we all know for a fact na meron tayong matagal na problema of insurgency problem doon because of ‘yung ownership of land,” said Albayalde.
Negros is among the areas covered by Memorandum Order No. 32, which was issued by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea on November 22, 2018.
The directive provided for the immediate deployment of additional police and military forces to "suppress and prevent lawless violence" in Samar, Negros Oriental, Negros Occidental and Bicol Region. (SunStar Philippines)