MANILA – Malacañang on Friday said security officials on the ground have yet to recommend whether another martial law extension in Mindanao is needed in the wake of a Sultan Kudarat explosion that killed at least three people.
“The decision whether or not to extend will be pursuant to a recommendation to be made by our security forces and they have yet to give recommendation,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a Palace press briefing.
“So sa ngayon po tingin ko masyado pang maaga. So hayaan muna natin, magmasid muna tayo at hintayin natin ang rekomendasyon ng ating kasundaluhan (So for now, I think, it is too early. So let’s wait, observe first and wait for the recommendation of our soldiers),” he added.
Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea on Wednesday said martial law extension is an “option”.
Medialdea’s statement drew support from House of Representatives with no less than House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo expressing support if President Rodrigo Duterte would seek another extension.
Roque thanked Congress for its cooperation “but as I said, let’s wait the recommendation of the soldiers on the ground”.
In December last year, the Congress granted Duterte’s request to extend the martial law until the end of 2018 due to lingering terror threat and insurgency in Mindanao.
The martial law and the suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus was declared by Duterte in May 2017 at the start of the five-month Marawi siege.
An improvised bomb reportedly left by a man exploded last Tuesday during the Isulan town’s founding anniversary, also injuring 36 people.
According to the military, the members of Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters were behind the attack. (Jelly Musico/PNA)
