FACT CHECK: No official statement implies Marcos’ intent to declare war, martial law

The President cannot declare a state of war on his own, but he can impose martial law for a limited time and needs congressional approval for an extension

AT A GLANCE

• A claim circulating on social media falsely states that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. intends to wage war in Mindanao and against China to evade graft liability and justify martial law.
• Fact-checking reveals no credible evidence or official statements supporting this claim, and the President lacks the authority to declare war without congressional approval.
• Previous fact-checks have debunked similar claims regarding Marcos' intentions towards war and martial law.

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Claim: President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. wants to wage war in Mindanao and against China to avoid liability for graft, as well as to have a reason for declaring martial law.

Rating: FALSE

Why we fact-checked this: A Facebook page, “Makata ng Bayan,” with 1.1 million followers posted a graphic on October 25 bearing the claim: “Gusto ni Marcos gerahin ang Mindanao at China para hindi mapanagot sa ninakaw niya! Gagawa ng gulo para may dahilan mag Martial Law kaya sa mga sundalo magising na kayo.”

(Marcos wants to wage war against Mindanao and China to avoid liability for graft! He will create public disorder to justify Martial Law, so soldiers wake up.)

The caption also reads, “AFP Wag na kayo magpagapos sa pagiging bulag na katapatan, wag na ipagpapatuloy ang pamumuno na puro pang-aapi at kaguluhan.”

(AFP [Armed Forces of the Philippines], do not allow yourselves to be chained by blind loyalty; stop the leadership full of oppression and chaos.)

The post has received 9,600 reactions, 3,300 comments, and 5,000 shares as of writing.

The facts: There are no official statements from Malacañang, the Presidential Communications Office, or credible news reports confirming that Marcos wants to wage war in Mindanao and against China, and that he plans to declare martial law. 

The President also can’t declare a state of war. Article VI, Section 23 (1) of the 1987 Constitution states that only Congress has the sole power to do so.

The President acts as Commander-in-Chief of the country’s armed forces in accordance with Article VII, Section 18. As such, he has powers to prevent or suppress lawless violence, invasion, or rebellion. The President may declare martial law for a limited period but needs congressional approval for an extension.

Bato dela Rosa in Mindanao: The post was made several days after Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Juanito Victor “Jonvic” Remulla announced that his department is offering a P50-million reward for those who can help capture International Criminal Court (ICC) suspect Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa.

Dela Rosa, who’s facing an arrest warrant for his alleged role in former president Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs campaign, is believed to be hiding in Mindanao under the protection of an unnamed armed group. 

Remulla also warned that any arrest attempt could turn into a bloody confrontation.

West Philippine Sea dispute: Maritime rows are at the center of tensions between China and the Philippines. 

China claims almost all of the South China Sea, including parts of the West Philippine Sea. Filipino maritime frontlines have dealt with harassment and harm at sea from China. 

In his third State of the Nation Address (SONA) last July, Marcos said, “The Philippines cannot yield. The Philippines cannot waver.” He asserted that the country will continue to find ways to de-escalate tensions with China.

Previous fact-checks: Rappler has previously fact-checked similar claims involving Marcos’ supposed war and martial law declaration:

• FACT CHECK: Marcos did not declare war on China in Day of Valor speech
• FACT CHECK: Marcos did not declare war against China
• FACT CHECK: No martial law declaration over army colonel’s ‘withdrawal of support’

– Jade Florido/Rappler.com

Jade Florido is a volunteer for Rappler’s Research and Data unit. She is a third-year Development Studies student at the University of the Philippines – Manila.

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