Martial law across Philippines would bring abuses: retired general
Ramon Montaño, the lone general to write against military atrocities under former dictator Ferdinand Marcos, has these words of caution for the Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s inner circle
If martial law is implemented across the country it will lead to military abuses and a divided nation, according to retired Philippine National Police director general Ramon Montaño.
Montaño, 80, the lone general to write against military atrocities during martial law under former dictator Ferdinand Marcos, said the military had learnt its lesson about “turning abusive on the dictates of some politician”, but would still play along with the civilian government. However, he doubted the military would oblige if the civilian leadership acted outside the constitution to form a revolutionary government.
President Rodrigo Duterte – whose absence from public life for a week has added fuel to rumours of a planned nationwide martial law – has already declared martial law across the island of Mindanao to clamp down on fighting in Marawi City, where troops are locked in a battle with militants linked to Islamic State.
Montaño, a Duterte supporter, said the idea was popular among the president’s supporters but he aired these words of caution: “Any president, if he operates under martial law, [this] will always lead to abuses by the military and a divided nation.”
Montaño, who was Marcos’ chief of the military’s Philippine Constabulary anti-narcotics unit, is well positioned to comment.