Mindanao bombings put martial law in question — Pangilinan

Sen. Francis Pangilinan. INQUIRER FILE / RICHARD A. REYES

Senator Francis Pangilinan said consecutive bombings in Mindanao placed in question the prevailing martial law in the region.

Pangilinan raised his concern after an improvised explosive device injured seven in General Santos City on Sunday, which was followed by another blast hours later in North Cotabato.

READ: Blast rocks North Cotabato town hours after GenSan bombing

Earlier, on August 28, a bombing in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat, killed three people and wounded 36 others on August 28. Another blast in the town on Sept. 2, killed two people.

READ: Sultan Kudarat bombing death toll rises to 3

“This places under question the effectiveness of the martial law declaration in the entire Mindanao. What’s the point of such a declaration by government if it is incapable of preventing such bombings?” Pangilinan said in a statement on Monday.

He said the series of bombings in the region in just a span of two months was already “alarming.” “Let’s not the yield to the deviousness of the attackers. Let’s be vigilant and alert at all times,” he said.

Pangilinan earlier said that martial law was not necessary amid the bombings in Mindanao. He said “no-nonsense police work” was enough.

READ: Pangilinan hits possible martial law extension in Mindanao

Senator Grace Poe, meanwhile, also called on the public to remain firm against terrorism in the region.

“We have weathered Typhoon Ompong as a nation. Let’s remain firm against this man-made criminal act of sowing terror in Mindanao. We are united in outrage, and in our resolve to defend our people,” she said in a tweet on Monday. /cbb