Philippines’ President Rodrigo Duterte gestures a clenched fist as he visit soldiers in Butig, Lanao del Sur, southern Philippines November 30, 2016. Photo by Reuters

MANILA (UPDATED) – President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday doused speculations that he will soon declare martial law in the country amid the continued firefight in Mindanao and security threats in the metro.

Duterte said there is no point in declaring martial law in Mindanao as it will only deepen the wounds of conflict.

“I don’t allow oppression in this country and I will never do it. Sabi nila martial law. Mag-martial law ako dito, ano? Patayin ko lahat ng Maute pati yung religious extremists, then?” Duterte said in a speech in Davao City.

(I don’t allow oppression in this country and I will never do it. They say I will declare a martial law. If I declare martial law, what happens next? I kill the Maute group and then the religious extremists? Then what?)

“Bakit iyun bang nasa utak niya maipasa niya sa anak niya? Hindi kanya iyon eh. What this guy will remember is yung tatay niya pinatay. Martial law for what, killing people?”

(Will the slain terrorist be able to pass on his ideology to his son? No, that’s his. What his son will remember is that his father was killed. Martial law for what, killing people?)