Lacson: Martial law, BOL could not guarantee peace in Mindanao

Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / JAM STA ROSA

The recent bombing in Sultan Kudarat only suggests that “neither martial law nor the Bangsamoro Organic Law could guarantee peace in Mindanao,” Senator Panfilo Lacson on Thursday.

“Instead, it is my view that the National Security Council and our ground security forces should take a hard look at their security plans and strategy, especially in the South, and try to avert the vicious cycle of talking peace with one tribal group while alienating the others,” he said in a statement.

The bomb attack in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat on Tuesday night left at least three people dead and dozens of others injured.

READ: Sultan Kudarat bombing death toll rises to 3

The senator recalled that when the government dealt peace with the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), the Moro Islamic Liberation Form (MILF) was formed and later became the dominant armed force in Mindanao.

“As it may be shaping now, as we make peace with the MILF, a breakaway group is sowing terror,” said Lacson, who previously headed the Philippine National Police.

“Having said that, I filed a Senate bill to enhance the Human Security Act of 2007, which has not been proving itself effective in addressing terrorism in our country,” he added.

The senator was referring to his Senate Bill 1956 known as the “Anti-Terrorism Act of 2018.”

“While an anti-terror law in itself cannot solve the problem of terrorism, an intensified one can, however, give the government and the law enforcement agencies the much-needed tool in dealing with the emerging threats of terrorism,” he said in a separate statement. /jpv