Palace considers extending martial law in Mindanao after Sultan Kudarat bombing
By AJ Siytangco
Published Aug 29, 2018 12:02 pm
By Argyll Cyrus Geducos
Malacañang said extending the martial law in Mindanao is now an option following the bombing in Sultan Kudarat Tuesday.
Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea made the statement after the bombing that resulted in the death of two persons and injury on 34 others.
Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea (Malacañang Photo Bureau / MANILA BULLETIN)
In an ambush interview, Medialdea said that the bombing is not a good sign as it put several lives in danger.
"'Yung mga signs na ganito hindi maganda yan e. Lives in danger na lang. Piyesta, pasasabugan lang (These signs are never good. Lives are put in danger. They would just bomb a festival). How would you feel?" he said.
Medialdea said that the Palace will observe the developments before deciding on whether or not to recommend for the extension of martial law in Mindanao.
"Not necessarily but tingnan natin (let's see) as it goes," he said.
"It's an option but nandiyan yun. We're trying to make it as easy as possible. But kung ganito pa rin ang nangyari, anong gagawin natin? Upo lang tayo diyan (But if something like this continues to happen, should we just down)?" he added.
Police reported that the bomb placed under a parked motorcycle along the national highway exploded at 8:34 p.m. near a gasoline station in Barangay Kalawag 3.
Police are yet to determine the motive behind the bombing which occurred while people were celebrating the Hamungaya Festival for the 61st founding anniversary of Isulan town.
President Duterte placed Mindanao under martial law during the siege mounted by pro-Islamic State (ISIS) terrorists in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur last year.
When the initial 60 days of the martial law lapsed, Congress granted its extension to six months until December last year. Congress allowed an extension until the last day of 2018.
In July this year, President Duterte reminded the public that the country is not yet done with its fight against terrorism despite its victory in the five-month war in Marawi.
"Just be put on notice that we are not yet over the hump in our troubles with the law and order particularly in some parts of the Philippines. Mindanao is one area which you have to look with guarded eyes," he said, adding that ISIS remains to be a wildcard in Mindanao.
Following attacks in Lanao del Sur in June this year, Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque also earlier said that martial law is still needed in Mindanao as there are still enemies in the region.
"Ito po ay siguro nagpapatunay na talagang may kalaban pa tayo diyan sa Mindanao kaya nga po dahilan na naririryan pa ang (Maybe this proves that we still have enemies in Mindanao and that's why it is still under) martial law," he said.
Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea (Malacañang Photo Bureau / MANILA BULLETIN)
In an ambush interview, Medialdea said that the bombing is not a good sign as it put several lives in danger.
"'Yung mga signs na ganito hindi maganda yan e. Lives in danger na lang. Piyesta, pasasabugan lang (These signs are never good. Lives are put in danger. They would just bomb a festival). How would you feel?" he said.
Medialdea said that the Palace will observe the developments before deciding on whether or not to recommend for the extension of martial law in Mindanao.
"Not necessarily but tingnan natin (let's see) as it goes," he said.
"It's an option but nandiyan yun. We're trying to make it as easy as possible. But kung ganito pa rin ang nangyari, anong gagawin natin? Upo lang tayo diyan (But if something like this continues to happen, should we just down)?" he added.
Police reported that the bomb placed under a parked motorcycle along the national highway exploded at 8:34 p.m. near a gasoline station in Barangay Kalawag 3.
Police are yet to determine the motive behind the bombing which occurred while people were celebrating the Hamungaya Festival for the 61st founding anniversary of Isulan town.
President Duterte placed Mindanao under martial law during the siege mounted by pro-Islamic State (ISIS) terrorists in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur last year.
When the initial 60 days of the martial law lapsed, Congress granted its extension to six months until December last year. Congress allowed an extension until the last day of 2018.
In July this year, President Duterte reminded the public that the country is not yet done with its fight against terrorism despite its victory in the five-month war in Marawi.
"Just be put on notice that we are not yet over the hump in our troubles with the law and order particularly in some parts of the Philippines. Mindanao is one area which you have to look with guarded eyes," he said, adding that ISIS remains to be a wildcard in Mindanao.
Following attacks in Lanao del Sur in June this year, Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque also earlier said that martial law is still needed in Mindanao as there are still enemies in the region.
"Ito po ay siguro nagpapatunay na talagang may kalaban pa tayo diyan sa Mindanao kaya nga po dahilan na naririryan pa ang (Maybe this proves that we still have enemies in Mindanao and that's why it is still under) martial law," he said.