Duterte studies bid to reimpose martial law in Sulu; no need for it, say senators

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte is expected to listen to the people on the ground when he decides whether to reimpose martial law on Sulu following twin blasts that killed 17 people and injured 75 others in the province, his spokesperson, Harry Roque, said on Wednesday.

Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, the Army chief, on Tuesday proposed the reimposition of martial law in Sulu to bring back normality to the area and control the movement of terrorists.

The Philippine National Police supported the proposal, saying bringing back martial rule would greatly help in maintaining peace and order in Sulu.

But several senators said there was no need for martial law, as the terrorism law would suffice to deal with the situation.

Terror law delayed

Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac, spokesperson for the PNP, said the absence of implementation rules was delaying the enforcement of the terrorism law. The reimposition of martial law would make up for the delay and enable the police to enforce stricter peace and order measures in the province, he said.

Roque said Duterte would consider the suggestion.

Martial law was lifted at the end of last year in Mindanao, which includes Sulu, two and a half years after it was imposed to fight Islamic State-inspired militants who took over Marawi City in Lanao del Sur province.

Roque said the President would have to be careful as the reimposition would be scrutinized by Congress and the Supreme Court.

“Well, let’s just say that the recommendations have been made, and the President listens to those on the ground,” he said in a television interview.

Confidential discussion

He also explained the President’s seeming silence on the Jolo blasts when he addressed the nation on Monday in a taped speech that was aired on Tuesday.

Roque said Duterte presided over a command conference where the bombings were tackled, but the discussion was confidential.

He said he himself was not allowed to sit in the meeting with key military and police officials.

The President may not have brought up the bombings in his public address because he had already given instructions to security forces, he said.

Malacañang also issued a statement condemning the attack, he noted.

Even without a public statement, Roque said, the President would continue his policy of not just condoling with the families of the security forces killed the attack, but also providing financial assistance to them.

“They will be given due recognition as modern-day heroes,” he said.

But visiting Jolo would be difficult for the President because of the coronavirus pandemic and the situation in the town, he added.

—With reports from Nestor Corrales and Reuters