Philippines' Duterte may declare martial law next week: defence chief

Duterte says he might declare martial law if the left tries to launch a massive protest

MANILA: Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte may declare nationwide martial law next week if threatened massive protests by communists and other leftists against his rule turn violent or disrupt the country, his defence chief said Friday.

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"He said, if the left will try to have a massive protest, start fires on the streets, they will disrupt the country, then I might (declare martial law)," Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana told reporters.