Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte threatened to declare martial law if his country’s justice obstructs his controversial anti-drug campaign which so far has killed more than 800 alleged drug traffickers since his election in May.

Duterte responded to Supreme Court Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno’s letter which was written after the president included the names of seven judges on the list of public officials accused of involvement in drug trafficking and set a 24-hour deadline to turn themselves in.

According to Sereno, the judges are not obliged to surrender without arrest warrant against them and said that the anti-drug fight must follow legal courses.

“If this will continue and if you will try to stop me, then fine. Would you rather I declare martial law?” said Duterte in a speech before military troops in the southern island of Mindanao.

“Please do not create a confrontation, a constitutional war, we will all lose,” he added.

Following the statements, a presidential spokesman noted that Duterte knows the limits of his power.

“We have an Action Man for a President who believes justice delayed is justice denied,” added Communications Secretary Martin Andanar in a statement quoted by GMA television.

The spokesman insisted that Duterte “believes in the rule of law” and judicial independence. He also denied that the judge’s complaint have created a constitutional crisis.

“The President has made use of executive powers at his disposal, knowing fully well the limits of these powers, and without undermining the constitutional separation of powers nor infringing upon the rights of citizens,” Andanar assured.

Last weekend, Duterte released a list with the names of 159 active and retired congressmen, mayors, deputy mayors, judges, police and soldiers allegedly involved in drug trafficking and gave them a 24-hour deadline to surrender for investigation.

This campaign has received numerous criticisms from organizations such as the UN due to a climbing death toll and violations of fundamental rights and freedoms.

More than 800 drug suspects have been killed and nearly 600,000 people have surrendered to authorities since the president launched his anti-drug campaign more than a month ago.

In wake of the criticism, Duterte, 71, responded that he does not care about human rights and the number of deaths because it is a necessary measure.

Despite the violent campaign, Duterte remains popular with an approval rating of 91 percent, the highest any Philippines head of state has ever received. EFE

Manila, Aug 10 (EFE)