Pres. Duterte finds no reason to suspend writ of habeas corpus --Palace

MANILA - Malacañang hasassured that despite recent incidents, President Rodrigo R. Duterte finds no compelling reason to suspend the writ of habeas corpus at this point as authorities are in full control of the situation.Presidential Communications Office Secretary Martin Andanar made the assurance after a confirmed improvised explosive device (IED) was found and defused near the United States Embassy in Manila on Monday morning, three days after the Maute terror group reportedly occupied an abandoned portion of Butig town in Lanao del Sur.The two incidents are being used by some sectors to fuel suspicion that these events may be laying a foundation for the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus. President Duterte finds no compelling reason to suspend the writ of habeas corpus at this point. As a strong advocate of the rule of law, he is fully aware of the limits of presidential powers, Andanar said.He added that the President fully trusts the capability and competence of Philippine National Police chief Director General Ronald de la Rosa to maintain law and order and to serve and protect the citizenry. He knows that General De la Rosa is up to the job and can handle any untoward incident and the overall situation very well. Given this, President Duterte believes any intervention at his level is unnecessary, Andanar said.According to reports, the police bomb squad had safely defused the improvised bomb found at the southbound lane of Roxas Boulevard near the US Embassy.In the meantime, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has conducted military operations against the Maute Group, resulting in the killing of 11 members of the terror group.The Maute Group is allegedly behind the deadly bombing in Davao City last Sept. 2.Andanar said last Sunday that the AFP will continue to frustrate the sinister objectives of the Maute Group which has long been professing allegiance to international terrorist group Islamic State in Iraq and Syria or ISIS. (PNA)