There is “no compelling reason” for the government to declare martial law just to slow down the rapidly increasing coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases, Department of National Defense (DND) Sec. Delfin Lorenzana said Thursday night, Jan. 6.
Lorenzana responded with a laugh as he denied alleged plans to impose military rule amid the recent surge of cases in the country: “Hehehe. Not true. Fake news.”
“Definitely out of the picture. There is no compelling reason to declare martial law,” he added.
Lorenzana, who also serves as the chairman of the National Task Force (NTF) Against COVID-19, made the clarificatio after social media posts circulated online urging people to stock food and other basic items until Jan. 30 in preparation for President Duterte's supposed declaration of martial law.
Lorenzana said that the increase in new cases could not be a basis for the declaration of martial law.
He argued that the new cases last year peaked at more than 26,000 in a single day while the highest tally this year was 17,220 which was recorded on Thursday.
“This variant while more transmissible, is less virulent than Delta. Less people get seriously sick,” he added.
Immediately after the Christmas and New Year’s Day revelries, the country saw an uptick of inections with the detection of more Omicron cases. Omicron, according to experts, is more contagious than Delta.
While a martial law is already ruled out by Lorenzana, he did not discount the possibility that the government will impose a lockdown to limit the movement of the people.
“The IATF is still evaluating. But not total lockdown,” he said.
The National Capital Region (NCR) and the nearby provinces of Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal were earlier placed under Alert Level 3 until Jan. 15 due to the increasing COVID-19 cases.
Meanwhile, Baguio City, Dagupan City, City of Santiago, Cagayan, Angeles City, Bataan, Olongapo City, Pampanga, Zambales, Batangas, Lucena City, Naga City, Iloilo City, and Lapu-Lapu City will escalate to Alert Level 3 starting from Jan. 9 until Jan. 15.