VP Leni opposes extension of martial law in Mindanao

Vice President Leni Robredo on Wednesday opposed the extension of martial law in Mindanao, saying it failed in preventing terror attacks in the southern region.

“Ito kasi may martial law sa Mindanao pero nakita natin over the past months, hindi ito nagiging hadlang para ‘yung karahasan ma-prevent, nagkaroon tayo ng bombing sa Lamitan, ito na naman sa Sultan Kuldarat, patuloy pa din, patuloy ‘yung mga terrorist activities,” Robredo said in an ambush interview at the House of Representatives.

“Ano ang assurance natin na kapag inextend yung martial law talagang mapeprevent ito?” she asked. “Kung ang pagbabasehan ang mga nakaraang pangyayari, pinapakita na hindi epektibo ‘yun.”

The second-highest official of the land also said it might be time to come up with a better solution to combat terror attacks in the region.

“Baka kinakailangan ang mas maayos na pagharap sa problema, para ma-assess ano ba ‘yung pinaka-effective na paraan para hindi na ulit mangyari ang mga pangyayari,” she said.

Attack in Sultan Kudarat

Earlier, authorities said two persons were killed and 36 others were injured after an improvised bomb went off at 8:30 p.m. in front of J and H Marketing in Barangay Kalawag 3 in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat.

READ: 2 killed, 36 hurt in Sultan Kudarat bombing

LOOK: Improvised bomb kills 2, hurts 36 in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat

The attack was later claimed by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

READ: ISIS owns bomb attack on Sultan Kudarat, says US intelligence group

Proposal to extend martial law

After the attack in Sultan Kudarat, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea on Wednesday said further extending martial law in Mindanao is an option to prevent these attacks from happening.

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

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said Malacañang is open to this option.   /vvp

READ: Palace OK with possible martial law extension in Mindanao