Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea said Wednesday that extending martial law in Mindanao is an option after a bomb attack killed two people and wounded more than 30 others Tuesday night in Sultan Kudarat.
“It’s an option. We’re trying to make it as easy as possible to prevent this from happening. But since it’s still happening, what else could we do? Should we just sit there?” he told reporters in an ambush interview Wednesday morning.
Medialdea clarified that he would not necessarily recommend an extension of the martial law, but considers it an option.
“Signs like this [are] not a good sign. Do you want lives and limbs in danger and an explosion during a fiesta? How would you feel?” he said.
Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque condemned the attack.
“Authorities are now investigating the incident and we vow to bring the perpetrators of this brazen attack to justice. We will apply the full force of the law,” Roque said in a statement sent to media Wednesday.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines attributed the incident to the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters.
“We believe that the terrorist group BIFF is the primary suspect behind this atrocity. They are the ones who have the strongest evil desire to initiate this kind of attacks that victimize innocent civilians and disrupt peace. If they are fighting for a worthy cause, why are they hurting civilians?” said the AFP in its statement.
In a radio interview, Roque said the BIFF is always at odds with the government’s ways on peace talks.
“This group disagrees with the government. We are even hoping that the Bangsamoro Organic Law would bring peace not only to the MILF [Moro Islamic Liberation Front] but also to all the groups involved,” said Roque.
“We would look into it because the BIFF previously expressed disagreement with any peace negotiation,” he added.
The town of Isulan, the official provincial capital of Sultan Kudarat, was celebrating its Hamungaya Festival when an improvised explosive device detonated Tuesday evening.
The blast occurred in Barangay Kalawag 3 along the national highway where people gathered for shopping.
Isulan police authorities reported that two people died while 37 were injured.
The House of Representatives and the Senate, in a joint session last year, granted President Rodrigo Duterte’s request to extend martial law in Mindanao and suspend the writ of habeas corpus in
Mindanao from Jan. 1, 2018 to Dec. 31, 2018.
President Rodrigo Duterte had asked Congress to extend martial law in the region for one year “to quell rebellion completely” in Mindanao despite the liberation of Marawi City from the hands of extremists who occupied parts of the city.
Duterte imposed martial law in Mindanao on May 23, 2017 in response to the Marawi siege.
Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte Carpio on Wednesday said she is amenable to extending martial law if the military and her father, the President, find it necessary.