By Vanne Elaine Terrazola Senate President Vicente Sotto III believes that talking about the possible extension of the martial law implementation in Mindanao are premature despite the bombing in Sultan Kudarat Tuesday night. Senate President Vicente Sotto III
(Czar Dancel / MANILA BULLETIN) Sotto, on Wednesday, said he sees no necessity at present to prolong the Martial Law being implemented in the country's southern regions as he believed that the recent attack would be resolved soon. "Wala pa naman, maaga pa. Maaga pang maisip 'yan. Baka naman within a month or two ma-resolve na 'yong nangyari doon. So hindi pa panahon para pag-isipan o pag-usapan 'yon...Wala pang necessity (Not yet, it's still early. It is still early to mull on the extension of martial law. Maybe, within a month or two, we can resolve what happened there in Sultan Kudarat. So it's not yet time to consider or discuss that...I don't see its necessity yet)," the Senate chief said in an interview. Sotto, instead, pushed for the strengthening of the Human Security Act of 2007, which, he said, would go well will the recently-enacted national identification system in curbing terrorism in the country. "'Yong ating kasalukyang Human Security Act, 'yong batas na tumatakalay sa isyu ng terrorism, ang tingin ko tayo ang may pinakamaluwag sa region ng Asia. Palagay ko panahon nang higpitan 'yan (I think our present Human Security Act, the law tackling the issue on terrorism, is the most liberal in Asia. I think it's hightime that we make it more stringent)," Sotto said. He said he will ask his colleagues to prioritize Senate Bill 1715, which amends the current Republic Act 9372. He filed the measure last February. Meanwhile, Sotto said the implementation of martial law is not expected to stop attacks by extremist groups. Although he said that it helped government troops to respond to such scenario. "Hindi talaga naman completely masasawata 'yan, pero ang tingin ko, dahil sa martial law, ay mas mabilis silang makareact, at mas kokonti pa nga 'yan kaysa sa maaring nangyari diyan kung walang martial law," he said. He also noted not receiving any report of abuse from government forces during the implementation of the martial rule in Mindanao. "Mahusay 'yong kasalukang pagpapatupad, sa nakikita natin. Baka nga kaya hindi masyadong mahigpit kumpara sa martial law noong araw; kaya meorng ganyan, eh. Ngayon, the courts are in practice, all other civil liberties are in place," he said. Following the bombing in Sultan Kudarat, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea earlier Wednesday said the Palace may recommend the extension of martial law in Mindanao as they observe the developments in the investigation of the incident. The latest bombing, which occurred while people were celebrating the Hamungaya Festival for the 61st founding anniversary of Isulan town, Medialdea said, was "not a good sign" amid the government's efforts against extremist attacks. Should President Duterte ask anew for the extension of martial law in Mindanao, Sotto said Congress would have to vote on it jointly as the Constitution had stated. Congress had granted the extension of martial law twice following the attack of the Islamic State-inspired Maute Group in Marawi City last year. The implementation of martial law should end on December 31 this year. Meanwhile, other senators have condemned the bombing which killed two and hurt 34 other. "I condemn the bombing in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat. Another cowardly terroristic act! Was just there and rode my motorbike recently. A beautiful and now a progressive place. Hope perpetrators be arrested. Sending my deepest sympathies to those killed & prayers for the injured," Sen. JV Ejercito said on Twitter. Sen. Cynthia Villar, who had participated in the Hamungayan Festival days before the incident, said she will also pray for the victims. "My thoughts & prayers are with the people of Sultan Kudarat where a bombing occured last night. I was just in Isulan last Monday at nakiisa sa selebrasyon ng kanilang founding anniversary. I hope those responsible will be arrested & held accountable to the full extent of the law," she said.