MANILA – Claiming that “dangerous times” are ahead, President Rodrigo Duterte will strengthen the defense capability of military and police to fight the enemies of the state.
The President in his speech on Tuesday evening said he hopes Congress “would tide us over to complete the instruments that we need” in dealing with security problems especially terrorism.
“I hope that by the time I make my exit, nandiyan na lahat ‘yan because I am not belittling the events to come or the person coming in to be the next president. Hindi ko alam kung sino,” Duterte said. “I see a very dangerous times ahead. And I hope that we will be able to contain whatever there is to really to…Lumalabas nga ‘yung pawis sa kamay ko just thinking about if it would go awry outside of Sulu and Basilan Islands.”
Duterte earlier wished to complete a certain phase in the Armed Forces of the Philippines modernization program, which was divided into three horizons – the first was implemented from 2013 to 2017; the second, from 2018 to 2022; and the third, from 2023 to 2028.
Duterte’s statement came after Malacañang said he had the option to impose martial law and set up a revolutionary government to address the country’s problems, including corruption, illegal drugs and terrorism.
The framers of the 1987 Constitution did not intend to prevent the president from performing his duty, which was “to serve and to protect the people by placing provisions there in derogation of that obligation,” Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said./PN
