Push Admin

Duterte signs 'state of national emergency' proclamation

Article (news)

Doris Bigornia, ABS-CBN News

<figure class="op-interactive"><div style="padding-top:66.375%"><div id="IVS_ABS_Body_Video_1_Container"> <ivs-player id="IVS_ABS_Body_Video_1" data-ivs-spid="3001339" data-ivs-key="e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603" data-ivs-vid="1464282" data-ivs-floating="1"></ivs-player> <script src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/js/iframe-parent.js"></script> <script src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/js/loader.js"></script> </div></div></figure><p>President Rodrigo Duterte has signed the proclamation declaring a state of national emergency on account of lawless violence in the country, an official said.</p><p>Communications Assistant Secretary Kris Ablan said Duterte signed the proclamation, which commands the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines to &quot;suppress all forms of lawless violence in Mindanao and prevent violence from spreading.&quot;</p><p>The proclamation also emphasized &quot;due regard to fundamental and civil political rights&quot; and it shall remain in force until lifted by the president,&quot; said Ablan.</p><p>Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea said Duterte signed the one-page proclamation shortly before leaving for the ASEAN summit. The signed copy will be released to the media on Tuesday.</p><p>Medialdea clarified that the spate of terror attacks like kidnappings, beheadings and the Davao night market bombing prodded Duterte to issue the proclamation.</p><p>Medialdea stressed the declaration is not tantamount to martial law and that no curfew is being imposed.</p><p>There is no timeline for its implementation but the proclamation will stay until Duterte feels order and safety have been restored, Medialdea added.</p><p>Medialdea said the first version of the proclamation included the provision on drugs as one of the reasons for the proclamation but this was scrapped.</p><p>Medialda reiterated terrorism is the main reason for the proclamation and not the spate of drug related incidents.</p><p>Earlier, Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella explained Duterte&#x27;s proclamation.</p><div><strong>READ:</strong> <a href="http://news.abs-cbn.com/focus/09/03/16/what-is-state-of-lawlessness" target="_blank">What is &#x27;state of lawlessness&#x27;?</a></div><p>He said the President&#x27;s declaration is rooted in Article VII, Section 18 of the Philippine Constitution.</p><p>&quot;The President shall be the Commander-in-Chief of all armed forces of the Philippines and whenever it becomes necessary, he may call out such armed forces to prevent or suppress lawless violence, invasion or rebellion,&quot; Abella quoted the Constitution.</p><p>&quot;The declaration is limited such that he can only call out the armed forces to suppress the lawless violence,&quot; he added.</p><p>Duterte <a href="http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/09/02/16/duterte-declares-state-of-lawlessness" target="_blank">placed the entire country</a> under a &quot;state of lawlessness&quot; on Saturday after a bomb attack in Davao City that was claimed by Abu Sayyaf extremists left scores dead and wounded.</p><p>The President&#x27;s aides said the declaration simply meant that the police could call on the military to help suppress security threats.</p><p>The move was also not without precedent. In 2003, then President Gloria Arroyo placed Davao City under a &quot;state of lawlessness&quot; after successive attacks on the international airport and Sasa wharf left over two dozen people killed.</p>

<p>President Rodrigo Duterte has signed the proclamation declaring a state of lawless violence in the country, an official said.</p>

President Rodrigo Duterte has signed the proclamation declaring a state of lawless violence in the country, an official said.

Duterte signs 'state of national emergency' proclamation

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

News

Duterte signs 'state of national emergency' proclamation

Doris Bigornia,

ABS-CBN News

Published September 05, 2016 06:29 PM PHT

|

Updated September 05, 2016 06:38 PM PHT

Read More:

Rodrigo Duterte

first 100 days

lawless violence

lawlessness

Davao blast

Davao City

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.