The military vowed on Thursday to use the newly-enacted Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) to fight terrorism in the aftermath of the deadly twin suicide bombings that occurred on Monday in Jolo, Sulu.  

Gen. Gilbert Gapay, chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), said the military will also implement the provisions of Presidential Proclamation 55—which declares national emergency on account of lawless violence in Mindanao— which is still in effect after it was issue by President Duterte following the Davao City bombing in 2016.

Presidential Proclamation 55 mandates the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to undertake measures that would suppress any form of lawless violence in Mindanao and to prevent its spread to other parts of the country.

“What we are proposing is the strict implementation of the Presidential Proclamation 55. It is still in effect and the conditions embodied in that Presidential Proclamation may be used as among the measures to really combat terrorism in the area,” said Gapay in an interview over CNN Philippines

He did not disclose the specific provisions that can be used, what with the concerns raised that the ATA could not yet be fully enforced as its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) have not yet been promulgated.

Gapay, however, said that the declaration of martial law in Sulu remains an option for the AFP, a  proposal that has been backed by the Philippine National Police (PNP). Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana has rejected the martial law option.

While the AFP is open to the possible declaration of martial law, Gapay emphasized that the military is more focused on pursuing and neutralizing those involved in the Jolo bombings in Monday that left 14 civilians and security forces and wounded 75 other people.

“It remains as an option to us but for now, what is important are actions, measures that can be immediately implemented and executed because you know martial law  would still have to pass the legislative process and would need congressional approval and that would take time,” said Gapay.

He said that they have already identified those responsible for the twin bombings, especially the key leaders and members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) which apparently planned and carried out the suicide bombings.

Security forces are pointing to Mundi Sawadjaan whom Gapay described as the bomb expert in the ASG as the mastermind who has orchestrated all the suicide bombings in Sulu since last year, including the Jolo Cathedral bombings.

Gapay said the provisions of the Anti-Terrorism Act are essential in building up cases and conducting measures to hold Sawadjaan and other members of the ASG and other personalities responsible for the bombings.

He said that there is a need for immediate actions as Sawadjaan and the other personalities involved are believed to be still holed up in Sulu.

“They are still in Sulu because immediately after the incident, we had lockdowns and right now, we are guarding the borders and really controlling the entry and exit of people. We also have troops operating in the area and we also have some information of their hideouts, their lairs and our forces are operating in those areas,” said Gapay.