“Amid the worsening human rights situation and climate of impunity in the Philippines, Duterte’s threats to impose a state of national emergency or nationwide martial law will only foment a situation of greater unpeace. His use of worn-out and make-believe reasons betray his real intent which is to promote his tyrannical rule and militarist approach in solving the country’s problems, instead of solving the root causes of social problems,” said Karapatan Secretary General Cristina Palabay, in reaction to recent statements of President Rodrigo Duterte and Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque on the possibility of declaring a state of national emergency, martial law or “radical changes” to combat criminality or drugs.