Twin suicide bombings disturbed citizens of Jolo, Sulu last August 24, 2020. According to Aljazeera, the explosions killed eight security forces, six civilians and the bombers of the two blasts, while 75 security personnel and civilians were injured.
Sulu has been the stronghold of the Abu Sayyaf Group, an armed group notorious for kidnapping, bombings, and association with Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), who is the main suspect for the bombings. Consequently, several military officials urged for the manifestation of Martial Law in Sulu, yet senate and local officials contested that the effectivity of the newly passed Anti-Terrorism Law will suffice in managing the situation. Still, the implications of Martial Law and Anti-Terrorism Law in Sulu are being studied.
Currently, military officials conflict on whether to implement Martial Law in Sulu or not. For instance, the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Philippine Army (PA) considers the reimposition of Martial Law in Sulu to heighten security and assist the provisions of the Anti-Terrorism Law. “Now is the appropriate time to reimpose Martial Law in Sulu,” Army chief Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana said as he recommended stricter security and quarantine measures. Moreover, PNP spokesman Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac agreed since martial law will give security forces “flexibility in maintaining law and order in the province,” he told ANC.
On the other hand, several local government officials and military leaders oppose PNP and PA’s proposal. Sulu Governor Abdusakur Tan and Western Mindanao Command chief Maj. Gen. Corleto Vinluan Jr. rejected the suggestion of higher-ranking officials to implement Martial Law. In an interview with ANC, Maj. Gen. Vinluan stated that the cooperation of civilians and local officials will aid the authorities find the perpetrator of the attacks, hence not needing Martial Law. Likewise, Lt. Gen. Gilbert Gapay, chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, regards Martial Law as unnecessary and slow-paced for achieving law and order in Sulu.
“The reimposition of martial law in Mindanao is one of the options that we are considering, but what we need right now are measures that can immediately be implemented so we could right away arrest and check activities of terrorist groups operating, not only in Jolo, Sulu, but in the entire island of Mindanao,” Gapay said.
Similarly, some senators oppose the implementation of Martial Law due to the enactment of the Anti-terrorism Law. The Anti-terrorism Law has been effective since July 18, 2020 and was intended “to prevent, prohibit, and penalize terrorism in the Philippines”. With this, Sen. Panfilo Lacson suggested that the law can be applied in filing cases against the suspects; however, early observance of the law could’ve helped the surveillance of the preparation of these bombers prior to the attacks. Likewise, Senate President Vicente Sotto III highlighted that the Anti-terrorism law is “powerful” in aiding the police on acting against the culprits of the bombings, instead of relying on the Martial Law. Correspondingly, Sen. Risa Hontiveros also considered the military as capable of fulfilling law and order in the region.
The presence of the Anti-terrorism law and existing laws deem the enactment of Martial Law unnecessary. Evidently, Anti-terrorism law allows the surveillance and detainment of suspected terrorists. Furthermore, strict observance of the Presidential Proclamation No. 55 or the declaration of state of emergency whenever security forces are needed to subdue lawless violence in Mindanao. The proclamation has been issued by President Rodrigo Duterte on September 4, 2016 after the bombing in Davao City and it has not been lifted ever since.
In summary, military officials and local government contrast in the proposal of Martial Law; but some senators support the opposition in the implementation of the law due to the capabilities of the Anti-terrorism Law. Therefore, terrorism in Sulu can be mitigated by strict implementation of pre-existing laws in the region such as the Anti-terrorism Law and Presidential Proclamation No. 55.
President Durterte has not mentioned Martial Law prior and during his visit in Sulu last August 30, Sulu Governor Tan said.
Sources:
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/08/killed-jolo-bombing-southern-philippines-200824044747046.html
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/08/26/20/martial-law-proposal-in-sulu-gets-pnp-backing
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/08/27/20/mindanao-mlitary-official-shuns-martial-law-for-sulu
Stephanie de Jesus
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