“If you do not give me a choice then you box me in a corner and I find myself helpless… Those are really provisions intended to protect the Republic of the Philippines.”
That’s what President Rodrigo Duterte said on Fri, Nov 11, during his speech at the launch of Pilipinong May Puso Foundation Inc. in honor os the 100th birth anniversary of his mother, Soledad Roa.
Duterte was referring to the possible suspension of the writ of habeas corpus if lawlessness in this country continues, as reported by the Philippine Daily Inquirer.
The writ of habeas corpus is an order to bring a detained person to a court of justice. The writ secures that no illegal imprisonment is done and all suspects are given due process.
Duterte says he is willing to suspend the writ of habeas corpus as part of his war on illegal drugs and as a way to stem the violence in Mindanao.
“If the lawlessness will spread, I might be forced to… I don’t want it. This is my warning to them. I don’t want it because it is not good. But if you force my hand… I will declare the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus. Not martial law,” Duterte clarified.
He also assured the public that his all-out-war on drugs will continue during his term.
“As long as the problem is there, as long as there is a pusher on the street, as long as there are drug lords… This thing will continue until the end of my term,” the tough-talking president said.
He adds, “It’s self-defense, in defense of the helpless children. It is in defense of a race. It is in defense of my fellowmen.”
