To prevent the social volcano in Negros Oriental from exploding due to the crimes and abuses there, is it time for a “military takeover” there?
This was the question posed by Senator Robin Padilla at the Senate hearing on the murder of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo.
Padilla, who likened the situation in the province to a volcano waiting to explode, said the Constitution allows the takeover by the Armed Forces of the Philippines if needed, and if authorized by the President.
“Sa ating Konstitusyon malinaw sinasabi kapag ang isang lugar ay pinamumugaran na ng ganitong klaseng krimen pinapayagan po ang Pangulo ng Pilipinas na mag-takeover kayo at ayusin ang lugar na ‘yan. Sa palagay ninyo di pa ito napapanahon sa Negros Oriental?” the legislator asked the AFP representatives at the hearing.
“(Ang) nararamdaman ko parang bulkan itong naghihintay sumabog dito sa lugar na ito. Palagay ko sa sarili kong maliit na opinyon, parang kailangan na po talaga na kayo rito ng military,” the lawmaker added.
The senator noted that under Art. VII, Sec. 18 of the Constitution, “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”.
He added that aside from the murder of the governor, there have been many other victims of other crimes including those merely seeking aid.
“Masukal po ang mga usaping ito.”
“Masukal po ang mga usaping ito ngunit sa lahat ng testimonya, damdamin, at emosyong bumuhos sa ating pagdinig, hindi po nawawala ang tampok na problema: ang kawalan ng tiwala sa ating kapulisan, ang patuloy na impunity sa Negros, at ang pagsira sa pangalan ng institusyon dahil sa mga scalawag o kalawang na patuloy na sumisira sa pundasyon ng PNP,” the senator said.
“Ang mga indibidwal na ito ay minsang pinagkatiwalaan ng tungkuling pangalagaan ang ating bansa, sinanay at ginastusan ng gobyerno para magsilbi sa publiko. Ang paggamit po ng kanilang kadalubhasaan upang isagawa ang gayong kasuklam-suklam na krimen ay hindi po katanggap-tanggap,” he added.
“It is time for military control though not to the point of martial law.”
Pamplona Mayor Janice Degamo, the governor’s widow, agreed with Padilla’s point that it is time for “military control” though not to the point of martial law.
“If that would hasten gaano katagal bago truly one can feel wala na talaga ang intimidation, para sa akin in my personal point of view ok ako kung ganoon na lang muna,” Degamo said.
DOJ Undersecretary Hermogenes Andres also agreed with Padilla that the situation in the province is “urgent”.
