Drilon said there was also no need for Ms Macapagal to issue a formal declaration of a slate of emergency in Basilan and Sulu. The President as commander in chief of the Armed Forces, can call out the AFP to prevent or suppress lawless violence, according to Drilon. A formal declaration of a state of emergency does not grant the President additional or special powers. So I do not understand why government spokesmen keep on titillating the people with the prospect of a declaration of a state of emergency, he said. The IBP said emergency powers can be granted by Congress to the President to carry out a declared national policy only in times of war or other national emergency.
War is between two states.
Ms Macapagal said what was being reviewed was whether martial law should be declared at all.