MANILA, Philippines — Senator Risa Hontiveros on Thursday said she does not see the need for the imposition of martial law in Sulu province even after the recent twin bombings in Jolo town.
Hontiveros said she agrees with some of her colleagues in the Senate and other government officials who have voiced opposition to the declaration of a province-wide military rule, following the bombings in Barangay Walled City in Jolo on August 24 that killed 15 individuals and injured at least 75 others composed of civilians, police, and soldiers.
“Not at this point. No. I concur with Secretary Lorenzana. I appreciate his position on this. I concur with my fellow senators pati ‘yung aming senate president at kay General Vinluan,” she told ABS-CBN News Channel when asked if she thought imposing martial law in Sulu would be necessary.
Hontiveros said that the case build-up previously conducted by the military against the two female suicide bombers who caused the powerful explosions proved that security forces are already capable enough of pursuing suspected terrorists.
Philippine Army chief Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana earlier disclosed that the two suicide bombers that the military was trailing but lost track of due to the death of its four intelligence officers gunned down by members of the Sulu police on June 29 were the ones responsible for the blasts.
“They were able to intercept calls, track locations, analyze the movements of those suspected terrorists. Kayang kaya sana sugpuin kung hindi sila pinatay noon (They could have stopped it if they were not killed),” Hontiveros pointed out.
“So I would rather go with those colleagues of mine and other colleagues in government and the Armed Forces who said, in spirit, na i-exhaust muna natin lahat ng kapangyarihan na mayroon na at mayroon pa ang gobyerno to address these terrible twin bombings,” the senator added.
(So I would rather go with those colleagues of mine and other colleagues in government and the Armed Forces who said that we should exhaust first the existing powers of the government to address these terrible twin bombings.)
Sobejana earlier recommended the imposition of martial law in Sulu province following the twin explosions, a suggestion that earned the support of Philippine National Police chief Gen. Archie Gamboa.
However, some senators were quick to oppose the idea, with Senate President Vicente Sotto III saying there is no need to declare military rule in the province considering that the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 is now in effect.
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and Western Mindanao Command chief Maj. Gen. Corleto Vinluan Jr. have likewise expressed opposition to the recommendation.