Senators do not see the need to extend martial law in Mindanao despite the bombing incident in a Sultan Kudarat town last Tuesday night that resulted in the deaths of three and hurt 37 others. Senate President Vicente Sotto III on Thursday said there is no need for now, even after Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea hinted that extension of martial law is an option. “Wala pa naman, maaga pang maisip nyan. Baka within a month or two resolved na ang nangyari dun so hindi pa panahon para pag-isipan po pag-usapan ‘yan,” Sotto told reporters. Senator Panfilo Lacson, former Philippine National Police chief, said the incident only suggests that neither martial law nor the Bangsamoro Organic Law could guarantee peace in Mindanao. Lacson advised the National Security Council and ground security forces to take a hard look at their security plans and strategy, especially in the South. “(They should) try to avert the vicious cycle of talking peace with one tribal group while alienating the others,” he said. Likewise, he said the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) came into being and developed themselves into the dominant armed force in Mindanao after the government dealt peace with the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF). “As it may be shaping now, as we make peace with the MILF, a breakaway group is sowing terror,” he added. Both Sotto and Lacson said it is now time to strengthen the Human Security Act. “Kailangang apurahin natin ang Human Security Act para lumakas ang pakikipaglaban sa terrorism at magandang kasama nito ang National ID System,” said Sotto. Lacson said he already filed a Senate bill to enhance the Human Security Act of 2007, “which has not been proving itself effective in addressing terrorism in our country.” Senator Francis Pangilinan said while the bombing is deplorable and the perpatrators should be apprehended and brought to justice, he does not see the need for a martial law extension. “The existing martial law proclamation failed to prevent the bombing so why would an extension prevent a future bombing? What is needed is no nonsense police work to punish the guilty and if necessary the calling out of the armed forces to address these lawless elements without need for a martial law declaration,” he said in a text message to GMA News Online. Senator Ralph Recto Recto, for his part, said they will need to have a hearing on a proposal to extend martial law. —LBG, GMA News “For now there is no proposal,” he said in a separate text message. President Rodrigo Duterte on May 23 last year placed the entire island of Mindanao under martial law after the ISIS-inspired Maute group laid siege to Marawi City. Twice, both houses of Congress jointly extended the martial law, which is expected to end on December 31 this year. —LBG, GMA News
