#ANCRecap: Former Solicitor General Florin Hilbay warns Pres. Duterte might use killings of local officials to justify declaration of martial law. pic.twitter.com/ssUD73MUtp
— ABS-CBN News Channel (@ANCALERTS) July 8, 2018

MANILA – A former solicitor general said he fears President Rodrigo Duterte might use the recent spate of killings of local officials to justify the declaration of martial law nationwide.

Lawyer Florin Hilbay said Duterte had stated before that he wanted to declare martial law, and the recent killings might be used as a reason to do so, like what the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos did before.

"I think the public should be worried about the possibility that these killings might be used by the President himself as justification or in operationalizing what he wants which is declaring martial law," he told ANC Sunday. 

Just this past week, at least 3 local officials have been killed by still unidentified gunmen. 

Police are still investigating the deaths of Mayor Antonio Halili of Tanauan, Batangas; Mayor Ferdinand Bote of General Tinio, Nueva Ecija; and Vice Mayor Alex Lubigan of Trece Martires, Cavite.

Hilbay added that the late strongman was able to change the constitution during the Martial Law era after Congress was shut down. He said he fears Duterte might use the same strategy to fulfill his promise of shifting to federalism. 

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"Martial law can be used as a tool by the President to ensure the passage of his new constitution. And we are aware that the consultative committee created by Duterte has already finished its job," he said. 

Mindanao is still under martial law, following the Marawi siege. The former Solicitor General urged the public to be vigilant and to understand history to guard themselves against the possibilities of martial law being extended nationwide. 

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