PNP: Martial law in Sulu to enhance anti-terror law

Soldiers retrieve bodies at a site of an explosion in the town of Jolo, Sulu province, southern Philippines, Monday Aug. 24, 2020. Bombs exploded in a southern Philippine town Monday, killing several soldiers and wounding other military personnel and civilians despite extra tight security due to threats from Abu Sayyaf militants. AP Photo/Nickee Butlangan

MANILA, Philippines — The imposition of martial law in Sulu would enhance the enforcement of the anti-terror law in the province, the Philippine National Police said Wednesday.

“We think that imposing a limited martial law in Sulu province would in fact enhance the implementation of the anti-terror law although we are still waiting for the IRR (Implementing Rules and Regulations) to be released by the anti-terrorism council,” PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac told ABS-CBN News Channel.

“In the absence of the IRR, we think that imposing a martial law would help a lot in maintaining peace and order in that area and of course in responding to the threats of terrorism,” he added.

Banac made this remark after PNP chief Gen. Archie Gamboa said the police force supports Philippine Army chief Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana’s push for a declaration of martial law in Sulu after the twin bombings that hit Jolo town on Monday.

According to Banac, the imposition of the province-wide martial law would also help in maintaining peace and order in Sulu after the recent bombings.

“This will give flexibility to security forces in maintaining law and order in that province and there will be a significant difference because we will be able to implement stricter peace and order measures. This is not just about quarantine measures that we are doing right now in the entire country but more on security,” he added.

Some senators, however, opposed this suggestion, saying there is no need to enforce military rule with the recent passage of the controversial Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020.

According to Lieutenant General Corleto Vinluan Jr, chief of the Armed Forces Western Mindanao Command, 14 individuals—composed of seven soldiers, six civilians, and one police officer —were killed from the blasts.

At least 75 people were wounded: 48 civilians, 21 soldiers, three members of the local police, and three police Special Action Force personnel.

Banac also confirmed that the PNP has received intelligence information of the bombings “but there were no specifics” on the details.

He said that the arrest of Abu Sayyaf sub-commander Anduljihad “Idang” Susukan on August 13 raised “serious concerns” that the group would launch a terrorist attack as retaliation against security forces.

“That prompted us to raise our alert level so that we would be able to prevent and if in case that happens we can respond effectively to any threat of terrorism, but unfortunately these twin bombings took place,” added Banac.

Sobejana earlier revealed that the two female suicide bombers that the military was trailing but lost track of due to the death of its four intelligence officers killed by members of the Sulu police on June 29 were the ones responsible for the explosions.

“This is really unfortunate but we did not want this to happen also. Our cops just responded to the situation that time but it turned awry. Right now, nine PNP personnel are charged for murder for the death of the four Army personnel and they are facing these charges before the Department of Justice,” Banac said when asked for comment on the Army chief’s remark.

He also said initial findings of police investigators point to the same direction of the probe that the explosions were both caused by suicide bombers.

EDV