WATCH: Enrile schools Yellow caller who questions Duterte’s declaration of Martial Law in Mindanao

An unknown caller from the opposition got schooled by Former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile after questioning the decision of President Rodrigo Duterte in declaring Martial Law in Mindanao amid conflict between government forces and Maute group.

The veteran senator explained to the caller the role of the President as the highest official of the land and as a Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

“As President [Duterte] of the Philippines, he is the automatic Commander-in-Chief of our nation. He directs peace and security of the country. And he himself will decide when he should use the power and authority granted him by the constitution, the people in their constitution,” Enrile said. [Bilang Presidente[Duterte] ng Pilipinas, siya ang automatic commander-in-chief ng bansa natin. Siya ang tagapangasiwa sa katahimikan at seguridad ng bansa. At siya rin ang magdedesisyon kung kailan niya gagamitin ang kapangyarihan na ibinigay sa kanya ng saligang batas, ng mga taong-bayan sa kanilang saligang batas.]

Enrile further said that no one can stop the President in his decision to impose Martial Law even the Supreme court (SC) when the welfare and security of his country is at risk. Under the 1987 Constitution, the president can declare martial law “in case of invasion or rebellion, when the public safety requires it.”

“Nothing can stop the President even the Supreme Court, they can do nothing because it is stated in the constitution when there was a war or rebellion and the tranquility of the country is perceived in complex circumstances, the responsibility and obligation of the President of the Philippines needed to protect the country and impose Martial law,” he added. [Walang makakahadlang sa President kahit na ang Korte Suprema, wala silang magagawa sapagkat sinasabi sa saligang batas na kapag nagkaroon ng giyera o rebelyon at ang katahimikan ng bansa ay napapalagay sa masalimuot na kalagayan, kailangan responsibilidad at obligasyon ng Presidente ng Pilipinas na patahimikin ang bansa at gamitin ang batas militar.]

Enrile added that the declaration of martial law does not automatically suspend the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus that protects every citizen in any illegal detention, unless the Commander-in-Chief would make a second declaration.

He even counsel the critics of the President to stay silent and let him do his job: “Kaya kailangan tumahimik kayo muna, sabihin mo sa kanila bago kayo magsalita, pabayaan niyo muna gawin ng Presidente ang dapat niyang gawin.”

Meanwhile, netizens responded to the viral video of Enrile and here are some of what they said:

Mabuti pa ito nakakaunawa at may kaunti pang malasakit pero yung isa na ulyaning FVR ay akala mo sya na ang pinakamagaling at sya lang ang may alam..Mr.Enrile pagsabihan mo nga yung kaibigan mo na si Fidel V.Ramos na tigiltigilan na nyang makisawsaw hindi nakakatulong kundi isa pa syang nakapagpapabigat sa sitwasyon..

Naku natumbok nyo po, ayan saktong sinasabi ko sa mga kontrabulate. Maging pangulo muna kayo bago kayo magreak at sigaruduhin nyong tama ang impormasyon bago kayo magsalita. hirap kasi sa kanila pansariling kapakanan lang iniisip nila at hindi tuloy namin alam kung para sa bayan ba pinaglalaban nyo o sa partido nyo. hayaan nyo na muna ang Pangulo natin na magtrabaho at suportahan nlng natin sya. alam nya yan kaya nga binoto namin sya e. tiwala lang tayo. #PrayforMarawi #DU30Forever
We Love you more Senator Enrile! Thank you for supporting Martial Law in Mindanao! We are at peace & confident with our President’s decision to declare it. We are chillax & very much ok with it. Daghan Salamat Tatay Digong! Mga anak nimo gikan ug nagpuyo sa Mindanao! We are Mindanaoan!

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