(Eagle News)—The Palace on Monday, Nov. 26, defended Memorandum Order No. 32 from critics, saying it was not a prelude to martial law.
“We repeatedly said, if there is any intention, then it should have been declared. But there is none,” Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said.
According to Panelo, the memorandum was issued in the first place to ensure transparency.
In response to Senator Panfilo Lacson’s question about why the President had to issue the memo in the first place, Panelo said the President felt there was a need to put in writing an order to deploy additional troops.
“You have to direct your forces. You cannot just do that orally and what areas they’re going to,” he said.
Memorandum Order No. 32 directs the deployment of additional troops to Samar, Bicol, Negros Oriental and Negros Occidental, citing the need to suppress lawless violence in those areas.
The memorandum cited the killings of local officials, attacks on police stations, ambush on soldiers in those areas, among others.