Palace: Too early to talk about extension of martial law in Mindanao

It is still too early to talk about the possible extension of martial law in Mindanao, Malacañang said on Friday, following the Sultan Kudarat blast that killed two people and injured 37 others.

“Sa ngayon, tingin ko, masyado pang maaga,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a Palace briefing.

Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea on Tuesday said the possible extension of military rule in Mindanao was an “option” after the deadly bombing in Sultan Kudarat.

READ: Medialdea: Extending martial law in Mindanao is an option

Roque earlier said Malacañang would go by the statement of Medialdea.

READ: Palace OK with possible martial law extension in Mindanao

“Pero ang katotohanan po, matagal pa po ang Disyembre, matagal pa po yung panahon kung kelan dapat humingi ng extension sa Kongreso ang ating Presidente for an extension of martial law kung meron man, at ang rekomendasyon ng mga kasundaluhan ang pakikinggan ng ating Presidente,” Roque said.

“So hayaan muna natin, magmasid muna tayo, hintayin muna natin ang rekomendasyon ng ating kasundaluhan,’ he added.

Roque said it was “premature” to conclude that the latest bombing in Sultan Kudarat would impact the effectiveness of martial law in the region.

“I think it’s premature to say because in fairness this is the second incident that we’ve had in Mindanao since martial law was declared. The first being Basilan and the second being in Isulan, so tingnan muna natin,” he said.

The martial law in Mindanao will end on December 31, 2018. It was extended by Congress after President Rodrigo Duterte declared it on May 23, 2017.

READ: Duterte declares martial law in South

Congress votes 261-18 to extend Mindanao martial law ’til year’s end

Mindanao was placed under martial rule after the ISIS-inspired Maute Group attacked the Islamic City of Marawi last year, causing destruction and unrest in the region.   /vvp