Is the Philippines’ Duterte Forming a Junta?

After naming a general as his next secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte quipped that he will soon establish a junta and allow the military to take over the country.

Duterte may have been joking but for some of his critics, there’s nothing funny about an idea that could soon be a reality. After all, Duterte now has 12 retired generals holding key positions in his Cabinet.

Since last year, Duterte has been threatening to declare martial law if Congress opposes his policies. He also said that an authoritarian government, similar to what former President Ferdinand Marcos established in the 1970s, is the best solution to the country’s problems, especially in ending the drug menace.

On May 23, Duterte declared martial law in Mindanao in response to ongoing fighting. The Philippine constitution requires the president to submit a report to Congress within 48 hours and the body can vote to reverse the martial law declaration (as of May 25 Congress had received the president’s report and leaders said it was “unlikely” they would vote to reverse the declaration). The 1987 Constitution was drafted, in part, to prevent the return of a dictatorship.

Duterte’s decision to surround himself with military men is described by human rights groups as a creeping militarization of the bureaucracy.

There’s nothing irregular about retired generals joining the civilian government but it appears worrisome when linked with Duterte’s pronouncements about the need for martial law, his praise for Marcos, and his government’s notorious human rights records.

Some of the generals appointed in the Cabinet were previously accused of corruption and committing human rights violations during the time of former President Gloria Arroyo.

For example, the new environment secretary, Roy A. Cimatu, was once identified as being among the generals who received controversial send-off money (pabaon) when they retired from service. Cimatu was also named as a pioneer of the “investment defense force,” a special unit created by the army but funded by mining companies. This has alarmed environment groups because the former environment secretary was removed following strong lobbying from the mining sector.

Appointing the current chief of staff of the armed forces, General Eduardo Añoas, the next head of the DILG is unusual because the post is traditionally reserved for a civilian officer. Human rights groups have also accused Añoas of being involved in the abduction of an activist, and being the protégé of a detained military officer facing various criminal cases.

Some analysts believe Duterte is strengthening his hold on power by ensuring that a coup will not be staged by the military. The generals in the Cabinet, who are known to be loyal to Duterte, continue to wield considerable influence in the military.

Duterte once remarked that there is a conspiracy to remove him from the presidency by some political groups with backing from foreign powers. His recent appointments could be a strategic move to counter such a destabilization plot.

Duterte could also be trying to appease disgruntled sections of the military, which are not supportive of the peace talks between the government and the communist-led National Democratic Front. Duterte, who had friendly ties with communist rebels when he was mayor of Davao City for two decades, resumed the peace talks last year and agreed to release the alleged top leaders of the communist movement.

Four rounds of formal talks between the government and the rebels have been completed already, with another round scheduled for late May. During a recent meeting, both panels agreed that free land distribution to small farmers will be the guiding principle of the proposed comprehensive agreement on social and economic reforms.

There are reports about some military officers who are apprehensive about the “concessions” given by Duterte to the extreme left. Did he appoint the generals as a way of assuring the military and other conservative forces that he is not beholden to the left, even if he is a self-declared leftist president?

Meanwhile, Duterte’s supporters believe that the presence of military men in the Cabinet reflects the president’s desire to get things done quickly and decisively. They emphasize that Duterte needs the leadership skills of these men to campaign for the country’s transition to federalism.

But does Duterte really need so many generals to make his government work?