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Local officials in Sulu have voiced opposition to the recommendation of various authorities to put the province under martial law after the twin explosion incident on Monday (Aug 24).
Sulu Governor Abdusakur Tan said martial law has been implemented before and it has not yet stopped terrorism in the province. Instead, he recommended that the government increase its efforts to implement the Anti-Terrorism Law.
“Your Anti-Terrorism Law is more than martial law. They must first understand the Anti-Terrorism Law. They will only destroy Sulu’s name (The Anti-Terror Law is already too much compared to martial law. They should focus on the Anti-Terror Law first. They will just tarnish Sulu’s name), ”he said.
Jolo, Sulu Mayor Kerkhar Tan said the province does not need martial law. The authorities must have a targeted military operation in the verified terrorist camps to achieve peace in Sulu.
“We have martial law, Mindanao has martial law, there has also been a bombing here with us. (Martial law has been implemented here before, in Mindanao. There are still bombings), ”said the mayor.
Local officials appeal to residents to coordinate with authorities if they find suspicious activities or individuals in their area.
Meanwhile, the Secretary of the Department of Justice (DOJ), Menardo Guevarra, said that the decision to implement martial law in the province will depend on President Rodrigo Duterte.
“Any decision to impose martial law will depend on the existence of a factual basis; that is, if there is a real rebellion or invasion or not, and whether or not public security requires the imposition of martial law, ”he said. “Only the president has the information necessary to make this determination.”
Malacañang previously said that the president is considering the Philippine military’s recommendation to subject Sulu to martial law after the recent twin blasts in Jolo. -AAC (with reports from Dante Amento)
