The martial law proclamation in Mindanao remains effective and necessary even after the twin explosions that hit a church in Jolo, Sulu Sunday, Malacañang said Monday.
Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo defended the martial rule prevailing in Mindanao, saying the Jolo incident was “more reason” to keep the proclamation in the South.
“They are saying that despite martial law, there has been bombing and therefore martial law should be lifted. With more reason martial law should in place because if you can do it under a martial law regime, then the more reason you should maintain it and be more strict in the implementation of security measures in that area,” Panelo said.
Panelo warned that there would have been “chaos and anarchy” if martial law was not declared in the region.
He also noted that the Jolo blast was an isolated incident, describing it “too little” to claim the martial law was ineffective.
“The fact alone there is only one incident of bombing for the last one year plus, that means martial law is effective. Can you just imagine how many bombings there would have been if there was no martial law there in operation?” he said.
“If there was no martial law there, there would be chaos and anarchy there. You see how they were able to get Marawi? There was no martial law then,” he added.
The bombings occurred ahead of the oral arguments challenging the validity of the third extension of martial law in Mindanao before the Supreme Court.
The government has condemned the “act of terrorism” and vowed to pursue the “godless criminals” behind the brazen attack.
President Duterte first declared martial law in Mindanao when local terrorists aided by foreign fighters attacked Marawi City in May 2017. Congress granted the President’s request to extend martial rule until the end of 2019. (Genalyn Kabiling)
