MANILA, Philippines – Two months since the start of his term, President Rodrigo Duterte had already been talking about martial law – either expressing his desire/threatening to put it in place or denying that he had the intention to impose military rule – until he finally decided to declare it on Tuesday, May 23, in Mindanao amid the Maute group’s terror attack in Marawi City.
On Wednesday, May 24, the chief executive said he might declare military rule nationwide if the ISIS’ “footprints” also reach Visayas and Luzon.
Here are among Duterte’s martial-law related pronouncements during at least 35 occasions from August 9, 2016 to May 24, 2017:
1. August 9, 2016 in Cagayan de Oro City – Duterte reacting to Chief Justice Lourdes Sereno’s criticism of his decision to name 159 alleged narco-politicians including a dead judge without any solid evidence or case filed against them:
“Please huwag mo akong orderan, hindi ako gago. If this continues, tigilan mo ako, sige pag nagwala na or would you rather that I will declare martial law. Pinapatay ang Filipino, I grieve for the so many woman raped, men killed, infants rape, tapos ipitin mo ako.
2. Sept. 3, 2016, in Davao City a day after the Roxas Night Market bombing:
“There is a crisis in this country involving drugs, extrajudicial killings as they say, killings. And there seems to be the environment of lawlessness. Lawless violence, so I might just declare a state of lawless violence in this country. It’s not martial law but I am inviting now the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the military and the police to run the country in accordance with my specifications.”
Question: You are declaring what, Sir? You are declaring what again?
Duterte: “Lawless violence, state of lawless violence. It’s not martial law, no such thing until I— well, until there is threat against the people and against the nation.”
3. October 4, 2016 in Makati City during the Rosh Hashanan celebration or the end of the celebration of the Jewish New Year:
“How am I supposed to deal with—sometimes, I’m tempted really to declare martial law but it is not feasible to say. Well, fine. That’s why I declared a state of lawlessness because narco-politics has entered our country just like the failed states of South America.”
4. Nov. 11, 2016 at the Garden Pavilion, Waterfront Hotel in Davao City:
“Ngayon, I will try to connect because there is a rebellion. Ang Maute, grabe ang bakbakan dito, baka akala ninyo. There is a rebellion, there is a rebellion being waged down in Mindanao.”
“At kung magkalat itong still lawlessness, I might be forced to, ayaw ko, ayaw ko. Warning ko lang sa kanila ‘yan, ayaw ko kasi hindi maganda. But if you force my hand into it, I will declare the suspension of the Writ of Habeas Corpus, not Martial Law. Wala akong balak sa pulitika. But I will, kasi wala akong remedy.”
5. Dec. 1, 2016 at the SMX Convention Center, SM Lanang Premier in Davao City:
“Ngayon sinasabi nila na martial law. Martial law. Mag-martial law ako dito, ano? Patayin ko lahat ‘yang Maute pati ‘yang mga religious extremists? Then? Then? Bakit, ‘yon bang nasa utak niya maipasa niya sa anak niya? Hindi, kanya ’yun eh. So what guy —- what this guy would remember is that tatay niya pinatay.”
“Martial law for what? Killing people? I would rather empower every mayor, ‘wag lang ninyong gamitin sa iba because there is — ito mga sundalo ‘to and they would never accede to any illegal order.”
“‘Yon pa is… Ang utusan mong mag-escort ng droga eh sabihin ko, ‘sir, utusan mo,’ ‘barilin mo’. ‘Ikaw mismo mag-baril ng amo mo.’ Bakit kung sabihin mong punta ka doon sa brigade then you are asking — tell your story, ‘why your community is not safe anymore?’ Then I will give you the blanket authority, ‘Go ahead. What is your order?”
“Pero kung manggaling sa akin mag-martial law, kalokohan ‘yan. Nag martial law man tayo noon, anong nangyari? Gumaling ba ang buhay natin hanggang ngayon? Wala.”
6. Dec. 22, 2016 at Clarkfield in Angeles City, Pampanga:
“The Martial Law powers are subject to review by the Supreme Court and by Congress. Kung mag-declare ako ng Martial Law at may invasion ngayon o giyera, I cannot proceed on and on, lalo na kung may gulo, pupunta pa ako sa Congress, pupunta pa ako doon sa Supreme Court, if there is anybody who’d file a complaint to look into the factual, kung totoo ba, which you could not do.”
“Eh kung magulo ang mundo? Kaya nga Martial Law na eh. Para isang tao na lang ang mag-direkta. Eh ngayon ang problema niyan, kung finding sa Supreme Court at ‘yung findings ng Congress magkalaban, hindi na alam ng pulis kung saan siya magbigti, ‘yung…”
7. Dec. 29, 2016 at the Palace during an interview with ANC:
Question: Is there any condition that might necessitate imposing Martial Law right now?
Duterte: “No. You know, itong akin — state of lawlessness lang ako. Iyong iba naman, actually it was Lacson and [inaudible] nagsabi, i-declare mo ang Martial Law, ang Mindanao. Well, early on ganito ‘yan — para sa akin useless man ‘yang Martial Law, Martial Law.”
“I mean, kung gusto ko talaga. But only if the military and the police, which is really about the two factors that would make or unmake you is, if they believe in your cause. No need really to.. If everything is in shambles, kung tonelada-tonelada na, all we have to do is declare a state of lawlessness. What is the use of Martial Law? For what?”
Question: So you mean there are no conditions right now existing that would compel you to impose Martial Law?
Duterte: “Even if it would really… Except maybe an invasion from other country. Rebellion and so on and so on, wala ‘yan. That would just… I said you just declare a war against them. You do not have to declare war against the Republic of the Philippines.”
8. Dec. 29, 2016 at the Palace during an interview with TV5:
“I do not need to declare martial law. Rather, if I do, magkaroon na tuloy tayo ng problema and you would, if you want make dictators out of presidents. Why?”
9. Dec. 29, 2016 at the Palace during an interview with Rappler:
“It was Ping Lacson who said that, “If things get worse in Mindanao, you might declare Martial Law.” So that started — the loose talks about Martial Law.”
“Pero there’s really no need for it because Martial Law would burden also the innocent people who are not into the you know… because of the declaration. Gusto mo mag-curfew and things like that. I am not up to it, actually.”
10. Jan. 14, 2017 at the Marco Polo Hotel in Davao City:
“So those who are thinking itong mga taga-Maynila about Martial Law, lengthening your stay, it’s bullshit. You know, if you will ask me, frankly, are you exceedingly happy or am I exceedingly happy, pleased or — being the President of the Philippines? I will answer you this one thing: I do not need the position at this time of my life. Hindi ko na kailangan ito.”
“Kaya ‘yang Martial Law, Martial Law? Mas bright ako sa kanila. [laughter] You know this Martial Law thing was really…The Martial Law provisions really to defend the country sinira na ‘nung sa Cory Constitution because of the hangover nila sa Martial Law.”
“Here is a Martial Law provision, it says that a President can declare Martial Law in case of invasion, insurrection, and blah blah blah. But after 60 days I have to go to Congress. See, to ask for an extension if I cannot complete or whatever is there to finish. And there is also a provision another paragraph, which is a very contentious thing which says that any citizen of this republic can bring a case to the Supreme Court to question into the factual basis of the Martial Law.”
“Ang problema nito if Art — si Art Milan would go to the Supreme Court to question me if there is really a need for Martial Law at ang Congress naman would say that there is reason to believe at ito namang plain citizen tapos tingnan ng Supreme Court and sabihin ng Supreme Court, ‘no, kulang, it’s not sufficient to declare a Martial Law.”
“So here is Congress and here is the Supreme Court drawn into a stalemate just to have the safety nets of an abusive, despot, a dictator. Saan ka pupunta ngayon diyan? So if the Supreme Court decides otherwise and here is Congress, what will I do now? There’s no more control.”
11. Jan. 18, 2017 at the Premiere Medical Center in Cabanatuan City:
“Eh di sino? Ang Constitution mismo ganito. Sinira nila ang…Because of their hatred for Marcos, they came up with a Constitution. Abugado marami man tayo dito. The President can declare martial law but any citizen of this country can bring a petition to the Supreme Court to question on the legal basis for declaring martial law. But in the same paragraph, the President after 60 days should go to Congress for an extension if he wants to, if he wants to complete the slaughter.”
“Pagdating sa Supreme Court, sabihin ng Supreme Court, ‘it is baseless’, ‘it does not amount to any legal basis.’ Eh sabihin ng Congress, ‘go ahead because it is the national security which is at stake here.’ Eh kung magbangga ‘yung dalawa, if they cannot agree. But the President usually and Congress are betrayers eh. Pulitiko eh. O ngayon pag…Who decides now? Supreme Court sabi huwag; sabi ng Congress, yes. Who decides? Eh siyempre ‘yung President. So ako. It will discourage me to become a despot because I now can interpret the law itself and it is final. Eh nag-aaway kayong dalawa eh ‘di dito. Iyon ang ibig kong sabihin. Ito namang newspaper, ‘Duterte, Martial Law.’ I will not declare martial law. At kung mag-declare ako ng martial law hindi ako mag-ingay. At magtanong anong basis? P******* i** ka, wala kang pakialam. Basta tumahimik kayong lahat.”
“Gano’n ‘yan eh. Sino man ang g***** presidente mag-declare ko ng martial law Supreme Court, pwede ba ito Congress ganun? Basta ako, it is not found in the Constitution. It is not written there. But if I feel as a President that I have to preserve my country, I will declare martial law. [applause] Pero kung sabihin lang ninyo na peace and order ganun ngayon, tama ang military, there is no compelling reason really. But I will just fill you in as the days to come.”
“It’s ISIS is coming in very fast and itong Mindanao is a pure case of rising nationalism. Iyang Mindanao, before Magellan came more than 100 years, was already Islam. Kaya pagdating ng Kastila pati tayo there is no original Christian there kasi nandoon lahat puro — ang Moro country was already Islam.”
“So ang problema ‘yong rising nationalism, sila Nur Misuari, ‘yung MILF, MN, they want their country back which is correct, eh kanila ‘yun eh. Kaming mga… Kaya tatay ko ‘yung Kristiyano pumunta lang doon nakapag-asawa ng Mindanaoan.”
“Pero ngayon iba na ang istorya, because the ISIS have contaminated Mindanao. Kaya alam mo — you see the CNN TV putok dito, putok doon and the ISIS is a very, very cruel thing. I don’t know what drives them crazy but they burn children, they’re making women by the thousands as slave. Iyan ang delikado, hindi pa dadating ‘yan. Pero ang media kasi hindi nakikinig eh. Ang marinig lang nila ‘yung martial law. Hindi ako istupido, mas bright tayo sa kanila.”
“Alam mo sa totoo lang, kung mas bright sila sa akin, sila ngayon ang gumagamit nito. [laughter] Kaya ako bright and besides, it’s — I said, it’s a God given — not even a gift, it’s a God-given task and I will not do it just for a flimsy reason. Perpetuate in power, I will tell you now. Please listen very carefully.”
“Am I exceedingly happy or I am glad — am I glad that I am President? I’ll give you the answer, truthfully. Truthfully, sa bunganga ko: I do not need it at the time of my life, at this time.”
“So takut-takotin ninyo ako niyang ‘Oust Duterte.’ Iyang ‘yung yellow—‘yung si yellow sige maski — ‘yan — ang yelo sa Bisaya eh ice, bumili ka ng yelo, that’s ice. Eh matagal nang natunaw ‘yan, pagtapos ng eleksyon, it melted. Sino pang gustong mag-Liberal dito? Eh di wala. [laughter] Sinong kaibigan ni Duterte? Kita mo. [laughter and applause] Sinabi ko eh.”
12. Jan. 19, 2017 at the Palace during the oath-taking of PNP officers:
“Ako I will do everything to preserve my country. Huwag na ‘yang martial law, martial law na issue, issue. I-headline lang naman ‘yan para maka — may magbili.”
13. Jan. 26, 2017 in Maasim, Sarangani:
“The loose talks about martial law. If I declare martial law, I will not say anything. I will just declare martial law. Just shut up. You just behave. It’s not… They always say that I want to perpetuate myself… Susmaryosep.”
“But sabi ko, the position of President, I don’t need it at this time of my life. I am ready to go anytime.”
14. Jan. 30, 2017 press conference at the Palace:
Question: Are you considering placing certain parts of Mindanao like Lanao, possibly, or Basilan, under martial law? Did you consider that?
Duterte: “When the time comes that they will be asking for it, I’ll give it to them. Remember this Philippines, kung kayo na ang maghingi, magsabi kayo, ‘Mr. President, declare tayo ng martial law.’ Sabihin ko, ‘mag-isip muna ako.”
“Kung kayo na mismo ang maghingi at baka dadating ‘yung mga scenario na ‘yun, sabihin ko lang, ‘huwag muna, okay pa naman, madala pa naman sa presinto, presinto.”
“But when the time comes na ang tao na ang maghingi, ibibigay ko. But ako satisfied na ako. I’m quite adept with the… what… what is available to me now. Tutal nakakagalaw man sila. They are doing their duty. They are being commissioned to do police work.”
15. Jan. 31, 2017 at the Palace during oath-taking of AFP officers:
“So it took that long for me really and I said the — the numbers are just too great. To the extent that I decided to furnish everybody, the Speaker of the House and the Senate. Sinabi ko sa kanila na, “Mabigat ito. Hindi ko kaya.”
“I don’t know, sabi ko, what are your plans are. But even if you declare martial law a thousand times — because little did we know that five, four, three, two, one, six years ago, we were already a narco-politics.”
16. Feb. 2, 2017 at SMX Convention Center in Davao City:
“It started when Lacson suggested because of the propensity to decapitate people at hinihiya tayo to declare in Mindanao limited martial law.”
“You know I don’t really need it. Sa totoo lang abogado ako, I don’t need any martial law. Frankly, I do not need any extra powers.”
“And if I would declare martial law, I will not announce it and I will not even give you an answer and I will just say shut up.”
“If it is really needed to preserve the country, maybe. But it’s not a… the right thing to do at this moment. Wala pa naman.”
17. Feb. 24, 2017 in Penaplata, Island Garden City of Samal:
“Akong ma-preso, walang problema sa akin ‘yan. I’m 72. I ran for the presidency. Beyond that the presidential, ganun-ganun, martial law to protect. Mine is to preserve the Filipino nation. Di na ko muto anang kinahanglan nako mag-habeas Corpus, suspension, martial law, ‘di ko kailangan ‘yan. Dito nga. That I will protect and defend the Constitution of the Philippines and protect the Filipino people.”
18. March 8, 2017 in Pasay City:
“Hindi ko na kailangan ‘yang Martial Law, Martial Law. I will do what I think is legally allowable and just do it. Hindi ko na kailangan ‘yan. Duterte mag-Martial Law, perpetuate. Anak ka ng…”
“Ako mag-ambisyon ng perpetuation? Sinabi ko nga sa inyo eh kung mayroon lang diyan o sige kayo na. Parang bang g*** na mag… Presidente ka tapos hindi mo na kaya? Eh ngayon pa lang sabi ko I am not happy because of the enormity of the problems and I am getting old everyday.”
19. March 9, 2017 at the SMX Convention Center in Davao City talking to Mindanao governors and mayors:
“Ako nakikiusap sa inyo because I said I do not want the trouble in Mindanao to spin out of control. Because then as President, I will be forced, I will be compelled to exercise extraordinary powers.”
“You have had experience sa martial law and it could be a brutal war, just like any other ideological war.”
“Wala akong choices so mag-usap tayo. Either tulungan ninyo ako or I will declare martial law tomorrow for Mindanao.”
“I may understand battles between combatants but I cannot for the life of me understand why we have to kill our children too.”
“Saan ko ilagay ang prinsipyo ko sa buhay? I’m President, I’m called upon to protect everybody. That’s my [acts like swearing oath]… Hindi na nga eh. Sabi ko, hindi na kailangan mag-sign pa ako ng martial law, martial law, suspension.”
“I can even do it by just declaring martial law. But martial law would open the doors of every house there, the arrest of every person, the detention of every person, everyone, anyone. The military and the police would be allowed to just pick you up from the streets and detain, and then you can go to court for the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus.”
“The Supreme — might not agree with me. Fine. But you must remember that Congress is a political body at kayong mga congressman na nandoon, would be forced to face the issues squarely because we have to debate.”
“I do not…I am not saying that I will disobey the Supreme Court. But I have limited period to do it than go to the Supreme Court to explain how it has affected the lives of the people in Mindanao.”
“The rest of the Philippines is droga and gambling. Sa gambling, basta they go legit, tutal kayong mga mayaman mayaman naman masyado. O ‘di sige.”
“Pero you go legit then eh ‘di mag-sugal tayo, but give me the money because I have to help. Buti kayo diyan milyon kayo eh. Eh dito, you know, last two-last two lang ‘yan.”
“Iyan ang problema ko ngayon. Tulungan ninyo ako kasi ‘pag hindi, alam naman ninyo. Martial law then I have to authorize the military just to arrest and detain you for… And it would not be good for our people and they would go into a trauma. Because how long would it take? I don’t know. It could be 20 days, it could last for one year.”
20. March 11, 2017 in Baguio City:
“I said that do not coddle or protect the enemies of the state and if it is widespread at binobomba na ‘yang mga eskwelahan ng mga bata, the State University of Marawi and sa Zamboanga, ibang istorya na ‘to.”
“I can understand if you attack a garrison of the military there, go ahead. Eh kasi magkalaban talaga tayo. But when you start to slaughter the innocent sa… Makukuha talaga ninyong gusto ninyo.”
“Ako, I said, I do not want it. I am not good at it. Pero huwag ninyong, do not force my hand into it. Sinabi ko ayaw ko ng martial law. Kasi dito, ‘yung mga nagsisigaw na ayaw-ayaw, ‘yun lang naman mga oposisyon.”
“But they are not into killing people. They are not killing, bombing, you know, government structures and including the schools of the children. Pag ginawa ninyo ‘yan, hindi tayo magkaintindihan.”
“Kung gusto ninyo, ibigay ko talaga. It’s provided for in the Constitution. I’m warning everybody not to do it. But if you continue the depredations there, killing the innocents… pag ka martial law is martial law.”
“What you’ll have is not a search warrant or warrant of arrest. Aso. Balik tayo sa aso and I would not hesitate to do it. Wala akong ano… Wala akong… Sabi nila, mag-criticize ka. You can even shout until you die. I cannot do anything for you. Just don’t… Philippines.”
21. March 13, 2017 media interview at the Palace:
Question: Nababahala na po ang Defense department especially Defense Secretary Lorenzana na dumudoble na ‘yung kidnapping sa Sulu, ‘yung Abu Sayyaf. Ano po ang masasabi ninyo rito, Mr. President?
Duterte: “Well, I said. Medyo okay pa ‘yan. I can understand it very well because there’s a rebellion going on.”
“But with your pakiusap, meron tayong peace talks with the MI and MN. So ‘yun sila ‘yung main — nasa highway talaga travelling towards, if possible a peaceful solution sa Mindanao issue.”
“Ang problema nito ISIS na. Kaya I just want… I just give you the warning. Itong ISIS wala itong pinipili. A few months ago pinaputok ‘yung Marawi, ‘yung sa granada sa loob ng library. And then about two weeks ago, one week ago ‘yung national high school sa Zamboanga.”
“Kaya pinatawag ko ‘yung lahat, hindi lang ‘yung mga Moro official. Pero separate, separate ang issues eh. Sabi ko sa kanila, in a nutshell is that, you have to use your own — your own office to solve the problem. You have the police, use it. You have my backing. Huwag kang magda-dalawang isip. Go ahead and destroy them. Because if not, then kung ayaw mo, maraming drugs, maraming kidnapping, I would just simply call the military to establish order there. No need for martial law.”
“But sabi ko, kung, if it gets worse and people are dying needlessly, ‘yong mga inosente, do not force my hand. Kasi ngayon, pwede ka pang mag-ano, search warrant, warrant of arrest.”
“Alam mo, martial law, ASO lang ‘yan eh. Arrest, search, order.”
“So law should be enforced not by the civilians but by the military. But that is an extreme measure. Now kung ganon kayo palagi sabi ko, you kill innocent civilians, pati mga bata na binobomba ninyo. Do not force my hand into it.”
“Kasi ‘pag ako ang nag-martial law, tatapusin ko talaga. Tandaan mo ‘yan. ‘Pag ako ang nag-declare ng martial law, tatapusin ko ang problema. Tapos as in tapos.”
22. March 19, 2017 during a media interview in Myanmar:
“I’m trying to stay loyal to the oath of office, to protect and preserve the Filipino nation. That’s the long and short. I do not need to read the Constitution about martial law, about suspension of the writ of habeas corpus, far from it. Actually all I have to do is just to remember my oath and I would do anything to protect the Filipino and preserve my nation. ‘Yun lang ang trabaho ko.”
“Basta do not do anything that deprive us of the happiness of our children and destroying — Iisa lang itong bayan ko. Eh kung sisirain mo, talagang mag-ge-gyera tayo.”
“And I’m warning the Mindanao guys: do not tempt me to declare martial law in Mindanao for starters. Because if I declare martial law, I will finish every problem of that island. Tatapusin ko na talaga lahat para wala na ‘yung next generation, wala na.”
“At magkakaintindihan na ang lahat. Ang Moro, kontento, ang Kristyanos, kontento sila sa buhay nila. And it’s gonna be a progressive island. But if I declare martial law, I will finish, I will finish all what ails the island. Ayaw ko. So do not force my hand into it. Because if I do, wala nang atrasan. Tatapusin ko talaga to the last period. So, ayaw ko. Do not force me to do it. Okay? Salamat po.”
23. March 22, 2017 during media interview in Thailand:
“What I can assure you is this: maniwala kayo, mabuti. Pag hindi, huwag. My administration will begin or began and it will end with the public interest foremost.”
“I will be loyal to my oath of office. Huwag lang yang mabalitaan mo sila Trillanes.”
“Kung sabihin ninyo na ikaw ba talaga sobra-sobrang ligaya? Iilan lang ang nagiging Presidente ng Pilipino. Are you extremely or inordinately proud to be President? I’m telling you, I do not need the position at this time of my life. Tandaan mo.”
“So dito lang. huwag na yung martial law na declare martial law. Dito lang umiikot. And my oath of office says I must preserve the Filipino people, hanggang diyan lang.”
24. March 23, 2017 media interview at the NAIA Terminal 2 from official visit to Myanmar and Thailand:
Question: Sir, how serious and up to what extent po ‘yung threat na nakikita po natin on Maute dito sa Metro Manila specifically? And do you have any instructions to the police or to the military on how to counter these security threats?
Duterte: “You know, even just a connection with Maute is very serious to me. And I have said before, I was — I think it was in La Salle during the debate, and ako lang ang sumipot, sabi nila, ‘How would you deal with terrorism?’ My answer was [inaudible].”
“Kayong Mindanao, I am warning you kayong mga kadugo ko na Maranao, tulungan ninyo ako because I have warned you, hindi ako kagaya ng ibang Presidente pabigla-bigla martial law. I just warn you now, now is now, tulungan ninyo ako kayo diyan sa Mindanao pati ‘yung mga bata na pati ‘yung pamilya dumadaan eh isang pamilya pinagrarakrak lang diyan na walang ka… Because ‘yung bangag, the terrorism there is you will buy drug money. So they earn fast. May mga ilang… Marami ng bilyonaryo because of drugs. I used the word “harshly.” But I would not… You overdo things, you put bombs in schools, you bomb ‘yung mga IED diyan sa mga eskwelahan ng mga bata, then you have forced my hand to declare martial law.”
“Martial law, hindi ko na kailangan pumunta ng korte para magkuha ng search warrant, warrant of arrest. Ang tawag nga nila diyan ASO.”
“‘Pag ako ang pumasok sa Mindanao ng martial law, I will see to it, tapos ang lahat. Eh magma-martial law lang naman ako, ‘yung lahat ng problema ng bayan diyan sa Mindanao tatapusin ko talaga. Gagamitin ko ‘yung ASO. Wala na akong… ‘Pag search warrant walang, wala ng… Magsabi ang korte “bawal ‘yan.” And I would use the powers of the presidency to the hilt.”
“‘Pagka pumasok ako sigurado ‘yan. Ang makuha ninyo puro ASO, puro aresto and maybe I will just also create [inaudible] I will allow the military to try you and to put you to death by hanging.”
“Huwag ninyo akong pilitin. Kayong mga may pera tama na ‘yan. Huwag ninyong galawin ang mga bata, ‘yung mga inosente, walang kamuwang-muwang ‘yan sa diperensiya natin. Ako inaantok na ako pero I am taking time to take questions because mabuti ‘yan dumating na tayo dito.”
“Ulitin ko, ‘pag ako ang nag-martial law, tatapusin ko lahat ng problema hindi lang sa droga. Then ang bayan natin da-dive ‘yan, pasensiya, wala na akong magawa. It’s either I save the Republic or mag-prevent [inaudible] exploding.”
“I will be harsh and harsh is harsh. Do not try it. Do not try it kasi kakasahan ko talaga kayo. Do not do it please.”
25. March 23, 2017 at Marriott Hotel in Pasay City:
“Kung kayo hindi kayo maghinakit sa akin, bakit ako maghinakit sa inyo? Kumbaga para matapos na, para sabihin ko tapusin na ninyo, tapusin na ninyo. Kasi ‘pag hindi it will be… And may I also add, ‘yung nangyayari sa Mindanao, binobomba ‘yung eskwelahan, ‘yung Marawi diyan mismo sa eskwelahan sa library, state university, pinasabog ninyo ng granada. Then sa Zamboanga nilagyan ng IED ‘yung national high school.”
“Ako, hindi kagaya noong previous na ayaw magsalita openly, ako magsalita ako. Do not force my hand into it. Once you begin to massacre and slaughter people who are innocent, I will declare martial law over the entire island.”
“Huwag ninyo akong hintayin na pumasok diyan. Nagmamakaawa ako. I’m pleading for peace. Huwag ninyo akong hintayin na kailangan ko pang gumamit ng extra ordinary power. Kasi ‘pag ako ang pumasok diyan, taga-Mindanao ako, tatapusin ko lahat.”
26. March 24, 2017 during the during the Opening Ceremony of the 31st Biennial Convention of the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City:
“Now let me tell you. There are so many problems in Mindanao, including terrorism. If I declare martial law, I will solve every other problem permanently. You can be sure of that.”
“Martial law, there is no more court. I do not have to go to the court to apply for a search warrant. I do not have to go to the courts to secure a warrant of arrest. Martial law, just like Mr. Marcos, he used the aso in order to arrest, to search. Aso ang tawag nila doon. It’s a cruel process and it is taken care of by the military.”
“So I said I’m begging you not to raise the stakes. Because if I will declare, I will not only solve extremism. I will solve, I said, every other problem that f***s the island. Please.”
27. April 3, 2017 at the Palace during the Baden Powell Day of the World Scout Organization of the Scout Movement and Investiture Ceremony of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines:
“Ako sabi ko hindi ko na kailangan ng martial law. Gawain ko lang ang dapat kong gawain: to preserve and protect the Filipino, period.”
“Ang oath of office natin is to preserve and protect the Filipino nation. ‘Yan, maski itong akin, maski inyo hindi magka-iba ‘yan. Wala ‘yang papel-papel, martial law, mga ganon, huwag kayong matakot diyan. Wala ‘yan. Hindi na ginawa.”
28. April 6, 2017 at Camp Artemio Ricarte, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan during his visit to the Western Command:
“Ang terrorism lang itong ISIS, iyong nasa Jolo pati nandiyan sa part of Zamboanga and Central Mindanao. Kaya I have authorized the Armed Forces to use the air assets. Marami na akong jet ngayon. Bombahan ko na lang kayo lahat. Hindi ginagamit noon ‘yan kaya ngayon… Sige, linisin mo ‘yang gubat diyan. Ayan ang… That’s why…”
“So kung… In the fullness of God’s time kung ma-plantsa ko ito, we only have terrorism and drugs. Ako drugs personally talagang… Ang patayan, hindi maghinto ‘yan. Hindi maghinto ‘yan because I will never allow the country to go to the dogs. Alam mo all ‘yung sinabi ‘yung martial law, mag-martial law ako, mag-habeas corpus, ouster, mag-coup d’état, so be it.”
29. April 12, 2017 at Riyadh Marriott Hotel in Saudi Arabia:
“You know, I’m a President that wants peace. I’m not a wartime President. I have to talk about this because that is my duty, that is my…”
“‘Yung iba naman, “Ah, mag-martial law si Duterte.” ‘Yung pinapakita nila Constitution. Nothing of that sort. Dito lang ‘yun. The long and short of my oath of office, and whatever comes out from my mouth, that is really to protect and defend the Filipino nation.”
“Wala ako kailangan mag-martial law, martial law. Huwag na ‘yan. Masyadong malayo ‘yan. Gawin ko ang dapat gawin ko and I will just rely on my oath of—it’s there.”
“If you read the whole context there, it says just one thing: to protect and defend the Filipino nation. And I will do it. And I said I will correct myself along the way if I commit mistakes, that is natural.”
30. April 19, 2017 at Cinema 1, SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City during the Cine Lokal Grand Launch:
“And they said, ‘Duterte will declare martial law.’ Martial law? ‘Declare the writ of habeas corpus.’ I will not do that. I have this compressed to a simple phrase. It is, my duty is to protect the Filipino nation. My term begins and ends with public service. Nothing behind, nothing more than… It’s there, and I will do it.”
“I’ve told the Mindanaoans here. You from Mindanao. Because they are now putting IEDs —improvised explosive devices—that’s what it means. Pati ‘yung mga eskuwelahan, Marawi, state university there was a grenade, in the Zamboanga High School. And sinabi ko sa kanila, do not force my hand into it. I do not like it, believe me.”
“Do not force me to declare martial law because if I declare martial law for the Mindanao island, then I will finish everything. Not only the insurgency or the rebellion but every problem that has to be solved there. I will finish everything. I will solve all the problems for you. And it will really be harsh for everybody. And if I have to kill, I will not hesitate to do it. That’s why I said, do not kill the young people. Do not place explosives in classrooms. It’s totally unacceptable to me.”
“You do it on a daily basis, then you invite me to… ‘Pag ako ang nag-martial law sa Mindanao. Tapos ang lahat. Lahat ng problema pati rebellion, lahat na. Lahat na kung anong makita ko gagawin ko. Illegal mining, no, I’ll just place you behind bars and I do not give a damn of what they say.”
31. April 23, 2017 at Binirayan Sports Complex in San Jose de Buenavista, Antique during the Opening Ceremony of the 2017 Palarong Pambansa:
“Terorista, you go out. You have been influenced by the ISIS. That’s the mother of all terroristic organizations, the ISIS. Ayaw ninyong hintuan eh ‘di sige. Maybe you can blow up my place, place a grenade there. Ang ayaw ko kasi minsan sa Zamboanga National High School nilagyan nila ng IED, explosives. Tapos sa Marawi University, nilagyan nila ng granada.”
“Sabi ko do not force my hand into it. Ako’y… Ako taga-Cebu ang tatay ko. But my mother is a half Maranao because my lola is Maranao. Ang lolo ko Chinese. But my father is from Danao City, Cebu. So I know Mindanao with the fingers of my hand.”
“Do not force my hand into it. Kasi ‘pag nag-martial law ako sa Mindanao, tatapusin ko ang lahat ng problema whether it is really terrorism or a boundary sa lupa o away ng pamilya, tatapusin ko ‘yan, lahat na. Wala na akong iiwanan na problema diyan. Even the slightest paputukan ng dinamita diyan sa dagat. ‘Pag ako ang nag-martial law sabihin ko sa Navy, pasabugin mo ang bangka pati ‘yung tao.”
“Kaya kayong mga terorista sa Mindanao, I’m warning you: I hate it, I do not want it but I said do not force me to do it because it will be a very sad day for all of us. Hindi lang ‘yan terrorism ang tapusin ko, lahat na pati ugali namin kasali na ako. Magbago talaga ‘yan. No more arrogance and… Tatapusin ko lahat. Kaya huwag ninyo akong pilitin kasi magbago talaga ang Mindanao. So I will lockdown Mindanao and tatapusin ko ‘yung mga problema pati tao.”
32. May 13, 2017 at the Regal Airport Hotel in Hong Kong:
“Ako, martial law? Pero hindi ako mag-martial law. Bastusin kita diyan sa harap ng tao. Kayong korte , stop it. Mga contract ng gobyerno, stop it. You delay the projects, magmukha kaming inutil, tapos ang mga proyekto hindi natatapos so i-TRO ninyo hanggang lalabas kami walang nagawa. Do not do it now [applause] kasi magkaka-problema talaga tayo sa bayan.”
“Alam mo maraming nagsabi, ‘Si Duterte, mag-martial law ‘yan. Diktador.’ Susmaryosep. Sa totoo lang, if you are asking me if I’m very happy being President? Am I inordinately proud of being President? I’ll give you an answer. Hindi na dapat sa akin at this time of my life. I should not have really. Eh napasubo lang eh.”
33. May 18, 2017 in Tagum City, Davao del Norte during the inauguration of the Gov. Miranda Bridge II:
“You know, who conducted a survey ayaw ko lang but it traverses many administration, 77,000 Filipinos died in drug connected homicide, murder. Ganun kalala. Sinong managot nung 77,000 na Pilipinong namatay hanggang sa panahon ko?”
“Tapos sabihin nitong Human Rights, 10,000? P****** i** gawain mo ‘yang singkwenta mil. Ubusin ko talaga ito. And even if I had to go to hell, I can rot in prison I do not mind. Matanda na ako.”
“But in three years, mag-stabilize ito kasi maubos naman. Para walay identification, ikarga na lang sa C-130 lahat ng patay dito na lang itapon saMadaum. Hindi makilala ito, saan ito? Ewan ko.”
“Hindi ako magpatalo nang ganoong klaseng giyera. Medyo maano ako kung iba siguro mag-surrender pa ako. But not, you know, sabi kasi nila ‘itong si Duterte mag-martial law ‘yan.’Kaya hawak-hawak nila ‘yang Constitution. Dito lang ‘yan. [raises his right hand] Noong tumayo ako before men and God, I said sa oath of office ko, ‘I will preserve and defend the Filipino nation.’”
34. May 19, 2017 at the SMX Convention Center, Lanang, Davao City during the 33rd Philippine Coastguard Auxiliary National Convention:
“Even Mindanao, I’ve been telling everybody. Because there was a time pinapaputok nila ‘yung MSU. Ni-granada nila ‘yung library. I don’t know if it was, there was a color of religion or what. But in Zamboanga, nilagyan nila ng IED ang national high school.”
“Ako, nag-warning talaga ako. Please do not force my hand into it. I hate to do it. I do not want to do it. Pero pag ka, there will be loss of lives needlessly. Tapos kawalang rason-rason, just to kill, kill and kill, I will declare martial law in Mindanao.”
“And if I declare martial law in Mindanao, I will solve all that ails the island. Hindi lang rebellion. Pati boundary ng lupa. P**** i** ayusin ko, para isang—”
“And there will be no guarantee that it will not last until the end of my term. Kaya sabi ko huwag ninyo akong pipilitin. Kasi pag mag-declare ako ng martial law, pahirapan talaga ‘yan.”
“It’s going to be a military take over all over again. And I will not interfere, except to give the orders to the direction of whether they go south, east, west or north.”
“Babalik ‘yang aso, babalik ‘yang raid na walang. Bahala, sabi ko. But do not ever, ever tempt me to do it. Ayaw ko.”
“Pero kung ‘yung mga civilians mamamatay, nagpapaputok ka dito. Paputok ka doon. P**** i** talagang gawin ko rin. Gawin ko rin. Wala akong magawa.”
35. May 24, 2017 through the Facebook Live video of Presidential Communications Assistant Secretary Mocha Uson:
“Martial law is martial law ha. It will not be any different from what the President, Marcos did. I’d be harsh.”
