Confusion, unease over Duterte’s declaration of ‘state of lawlessness’

Fears of a martial law declaration by President Rodrigo Duterte flooded social media hours after he declared a “state of lawlessness” after the Davao City blast.

READ: Duterte declares ‘state of lawlessness’

The explosion in a Davao City night market killed at least 14 and wounded 71 others, as of posting time.

READ: 14 dead, 67 hurt in Davao blast—police

Interior Secretary Mike Sueno said that the Abu Sayyaf group claimed responsibility for the attack hours later.

The police and military have been on high alert since the blast hit the President’s hometown late Friday night.

Social media was on its toes following the Davao market blast.

“State of lawlessness is not martial law please,” said @JAYESANlTY.

state of lawlessness is not martial law please

— sum (@JAYESANlTY) September 3, 2016

  “State of Lawlessness is a defense mechanism against terrorist. It is used to secure the safety of people. IT IS NOT MARTIAL LAW! Alam mo na!” posted Crisver Saranza.

State of Lawlessness is a defense mechanism against terrorist. It is used to secure the safety of people. IT IS NOT MARTIAL LAW! Alam mo na! — Crisver Saranza (@crisaranza17) September 3, 2016

“Hollande declared martial law in France and no one bats an eye. Duterte declares state of lawless violence and everyone loses their minds!” said @pisceanism.

Hollande declared martial law in France and no one bats an eye. Duterte declares state of lawless violence and everyone loses their minds!

— Tonskie (@pisceanism) September 3, 2016

  Several hours after the President’s declaration, confusion ensued after Bong Go, the President’s special assistant, released a statement saying the “state of lawlessness” only covers Mindanao.   “Du30: I declare a state of lawlessness throughout the PH. His appointees: It only applies for Mindanao. AY WAIT PH PALA,” said @sexymartsmallow. (

Du30: I declare a state of lawlessness throughout the PH His appointees: It only applies for Mindanao. AY WAIT PH PALA. *facepalm* — Martin Miranda (@sexymartsmallow) September 3, 2016

Presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella and the president’s chief legal counsel Salvador Panelo later clarified that the declaration covers the entire Philippines, not just Mindanao.  

READ: Duterte: State of lawlessness covers the whole country  

After the Saturday morning confusion, social media was left with questions unanswered about what a “state of lawlessness” really meant.   “Anggulo. ung isang opisyales sa Mindanao lang ang state of lawlessness, tas ung isa buong ph daw. ano na?!” tweeted Kratos.

anggulo. ung isang opisyales sa mindanao lang ang state of lawlessness, tas ung isa buong ph daw. ano na?! — Kratos (@chardceron) September 3, 2016

“The big difference of state of lawless violence from Martial law is that writ of habeas corpus is not suspended in SLV,” said Alexander kim Waing.

The big difference of state of lawless violence from Martial law is that writ of habeas corpus is not suspended in SLV.

— Alexander kim Waing (@Itsmealex56) September 3, 2016

) “Do not equate “state of lawlessness” to martial law. This is to suppress lawless violence. It does not suspend some rights,” said @alexis_banga.

Do not equate “state of lawlessness” to martial law. This is to suppress lawless violence. It does not suspend some rights. — Alexis Banga, R.Chem (@alexis_banga) September 3, 2016

“Pingpong morning. Ano na ba talaga ang scope of lawlessness – Mindanao only or nationwide?” @philippinebeat noted.

Pingpong morning. Ano na ba talaga ang scope of lawlessness – Mindanao only or nationwide?

— Jane U. (@philippinebeat) September 3, 2016

  President Duterte also canceled his trip to Brunei, which would have been his first foreign trip as the country’s chief executive.   “Everybody can come in and out of Davao,” he said in a televised interview. “Davao is safe, there is no criminality here except terrorism.”   “State of lawless violence. I’m worried not just for Davao but for the entire country. De ja vu-ish,” said @willow2469.

State of lawless violence I’m worried not just for Davao but for the entire country. De ja vu-ish. — Baby Ko (@willow2469) September 3, 2016

“Heightened security level should be maintained for the rest of the country but not the state of lawless violence,” said Jude Mangilog.

Heightened security level should be maintained for the rest of the country but not the state of lawless violence.

— Jude Mangilog (@judemangilog) September 3, 2016

“So, in the space of 66 days we went from a rising nation to a lawless state? That’s…interesting. Accurate? Interesting,” posted @iwriteasiwrite.

So, in the space of 66 days we went from a rising nation to a lawless state? That’s…interesting. Accurate? Interesting. — Nik (@iwriteasiwrite) September 3, 2016

“Nasa state of lawless violence baga an Pinas. konti na lang martial law na rin yun,” said Lou.

nasa state of lawless violence baga an pinas. konti na lang martial law na rin yun.

— Lou (@eymiluuuuuu) September 3, 2016

“What happened to us, PH was so peaceful 6 years ago and suddenly a state of lawlessness,” said Pundit.

What happened to us, PH was so peaceful 6 years ago and suddenly a state of lawlessness — Pundit (@artistdaddy) September 3, 2016

“The scarier state of lawlessness is when the people entrusted to enforce the law break the laws they are supposed to enforce,” noted @lelanddelacruz.

The scarier state of lawlessness is when the people entrusted to enforce the law break the laws they are supposed to enforce.

— Leland Dela Cruz (@lelanddelacruz) September 3, 2016

  But netizen “mic” echoed a common concern following the President’s declaration.   “President Duterte declares State of Lawlessness violence for the entire Philippines now instead of Davao City only. But why do I feel uneasy,” said mic.

President Duterte declares State of Lawlessness violence for the entire Philippines now instead of Davao City only. But why do I feel uneasy

— mic (@winneowinneo) September 3, 2016