After bombing, Albayalde sees nothing wrong with martial law extension in Mindanao
After a bomb blast rocked the capital of Sultan Kudarat, Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Director General Oscar Albayalde said on Tuesday that he sees nothing wrong with extending martial law in Mindanao.
Albayalde told reporters that the decision to extend the military rule in Mindanao is up to President Rodrigo Duterte, but he believes that it would good for the peace and order situation in the area.
“That is very much high-level, it will depend on the Chief Executive […] and I’m sure he has own security advisers on that,” Albayalde said after leaving the House hearing on the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) budget.
“Pero kung ako, wala naman kasing masamang dinudulot ang martial law doon (But if you were to ask me, the martial law has no adverse effect in the area), and I think it’s part of peace and security doon sa (in the) area, and in fact, nakakabuti siguro sa (it may be good for ) economic development sa area na iyon (in the area). Then why not?” he added.
Albayalde, who will fly to Sultan Kudarat later, also dismissed allegations that the martial law is ineffective because terrorists managed to attack a city in the midst of military men and auxiliaries. He also said that the PNP will provide additional forces in the area if the situation requires it.
“Probably kung walang martial law doon baka mas marami pa iyan (Probably if there is no martial law, there may be more),” he said.
“Kung kinakailangan (If there is a need), we will assess, that’s why we have to go there personally, we will ask for assessment from the security forces there nang makita natin kung bakit nangyari ba itong insidente na ito (so we can see why this incident happened)” he vowed.
On Tuesday night, an improvised explosive device was set off in Barangay Kalawag 3 in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat, killing two and injuring 36 others, plus one who is currently in critical condition.
READ: LOOK: Improvised bomb kills 2, hurts 36 in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat
