BY ARGYLL GEDUCOS
President Duterte is carefully studying the recommendation made by government forces to place Sulu under martial law following the twin blasts that rocked Jolo on Monday, Malacañang said.
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque made the statement after Army chief Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana and Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Archie Gamboa agreed that it is wise for the government to declare martial law again following the blasts that killed 15 people and injured 70 others.
In an interview with CNN Philippines, Roque said that the President is studying the recommendations, especially the ones that came from the ground.
“Let’s just say that the recommendations have been made and the President listens to those on the ground,” he said.
According to Roque, the President, however, would have to be careful in making the decision because it has to pass the scrutiny of both the legislative and judicial branches of government.
“The President will, of course, consider this recommendation as will both Congress and the Supreme Court because the declaration of martial law now contains safeguards not found in the 1935 Constitution,” he said.
“So although the recommendation has been made, the President has to be very careful that it will pass the scrutiny of both the legislative and the judicial branches of government,” he added,
Roque said that there will have to be notice given to Congress who, in turn, would have to be satisfied with both the legal and factual basis for the declaration.
“This is without prejudice to the judicial review of both the factual and legal considerations for the imposition of martial law,” he said.
As of Wednesday morning, aside from the two suicide bombers, the blast has killed eight soldiers, six civilians, and one police officer.
Mindanao was under martial law from May 2017 to December 2019 due to the war against pro-ISIS terrorists in Maraw City and the threat of terrorism in the entire island.
Meanwhile, Roque assured the family of the government troops killed in the blast of assistance from the government even though President Duterte has not mentioned anything about the incident publicly.
