“The hands of the armed forces are already tainted with blood, their institution is already embedded with human rights violations and impunity, we fear that bringing back the military rule would heighten the dictatorial character of the already fascist Armed Forces of the Philippines,” Fernando Hicap, Pamalakaya chair said in a statement.
Hicap said “Duterte should keep true to his earlier pronouncement that he would not declare martial law because nothing happened during those dark days.”
“Martial law will never be the solution to resolve ills of the society like proliferation of illegal drugs and crimes. Pres. Duterte should instead address why these anti- social activities prevail in the present societal system,” he added. Mariano noted that “poverty, injustice and the government’s bureaucratic system should be addressed in order to resolve the persistent societal ill in the country instead of putting back the nation into military rule. Never again will we allow those armed-fatigued men to impose their fascist rule in our country.”
“The Filipino people have surpassed the martial law and toppled a dictator before, we will again do so should this purported plot for martial law become imminent and in the name of preserving the basic rights of the Filipino people,” Hicap also said.
