MANILA — Malacañang on Wednesday said it shares the view of Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea to extend martial law in Mindanao in the wake of the bombing in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat that killed two people and injured 36 others.
In a chance interview at the House of Representatives (HOR), Medialdea said extending martial law is an “option,” noting that the government could not “just sit around” and do nothing.
“That’s ES (Executive Secretary) speaking. Same view,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a text message.
Roque, meanwhile, condemned the bombing and vowed that the government will bring the perpetrators to justice.
“Kinokondena natin iyan…Pero ang pangako po ng ating Pangulo, ang Mindanao po ay nasa martial law pa rin at gagawin po nating lahat para malaman kung sino ang nasa likod nitong pambobomba (We condemn that…But the promise of our President, since Mindanao is still under martial law, we will do everything to find out who is behind this bombing),” Roque said in a radio interview over dzRH.
“Parurusahan po natin iyan, ipaparamdam po natin sa kanila ang lakas ng ating mga batas (We will punish them, we will make them feel how strong our laws are),” he added.
He said the government continues to hold partners in Mindanao in “good faith” following President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s signing of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) last July 26.
BOL, or Republic Act 11054, seeks to establish a new Bangsamoro political entity to replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
Formerly known as the Bangsamoro Basic Law, the BOL is premised on the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro, a signed peace deal.
The law is part of the Duterte administration’s effort to achieve national rapprochement with the Moro rebel groups.
“Sa ngayong po we would like to be in good faith to all our partners diyan sa Mindanao (At present, we would like to be in good faith with all our partners there in Mindanao),” Roque said.
Roque said authorities are now investigating the incident noting that the government will apply the full force of the law.
Reports showed that the blast took place 8:34 p.m. Tuesday, when an improvised explosive device exploded in front of J and H Marketing along the national highway in Barangay Kalawag 3, Isulan, Sultan Kudarat.
Martial law in Mindanao was declared on May 23, 2017 following attacks launched by the Maute Group in Marawi City. It was extended by Congress at the President’s request and will end on December 31, 2018. (Azer Parrocha/PNA)
