President Rodrigo Duterte Declares State of Lawlessness - September 3, 2016

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte declares State of Lawlessness early September 3, 2016 to ensure security in the country. Duterte reiterated that this is not a Martial Law. The declaration of the order was made due to the bombing in Davao City that kill at least 14 people and injuring 67 individuals.

'NOT MARTIAL LAW': Duterte declares 'state of lawless violence,' hikes military, police presence

"I am declaring now a state of lawlessness. It is not martial law. It has nothing to do with the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus. We go about but I said there will be checkpoints," he told reporters early morning on Saturday, September 3, in Davao City.

He said this is to ensure "coordinated efforts" between the police and the military in the government's fight against terrorism and illegal drugs.

‪The 1987 Constitution allows the President to call on the armed forces to “prevent or suppress lawless violence.”‬

He said there would be greater presence of soldiers all over the country and more checkpoints. He, however, said he would not be imposing any nationwide curfew yet.

"These are extraordinary times....There is a crisis in this country involving drugs, extrajudicial killings, and there seems to be environment of lawlessness, lawless violence," the President said.

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