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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Palace: Duterte considering martial law in Sulu

Palace: Duterte considering martial law in Sulu

Published Aug 26, 2020 12:16 pm

he recommendation of government forces to place Sulu under martial law following the twin blasts that rocked Jolo on Monday. 

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque
(OPS / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque made the statement after Army chief Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana and Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Archie Gamboa agreed to recommend the declaration of martial law in Sulu following the twin blasts that killed 15 people and injured 70 others. 

In an interview with CNN Philippines, Roque said the President is studying the recommendations, especially the ones that came from the ground. 

“Let's just say that the recommendations have been made and the President listens to those on the ground,” he said. According to Roque, the President, however, would have to be careful in making the decision because it has to pass the scrutiny of both the legislative and judicial branches of government. 

“The President will, of course, consider this recommendation as will both Congress and the Supreme Court because the declaration of martial law now contains safeguards not found in the 1935 Constitution,” he said. 

“So although the recommendation has been made, the President has to be very careful that it will pass the scrutiny of both the legislative and the judicial branches of government,” he added, Roque said that there will have to be a notice given to Congress, which, in turn, will have to be satisfied with both the legal and factual basis for the declaration. 

“This is without prejudice to the judicial review of both the factual and legal considerations for the imposition of martial law,” he said. 

Martial law rejected 

As martial law is being considered, farmers’ group Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) took a stand against it. 

KMP chairman Danilo Ramos said the incident must not be used as a pretext to declare martial law like the one that took effect in Mindanao in 2017 at the height of the Marawi siege. 

“If only the Duterte government have focused and trained its guns on the real terrorists, and did not obsess itself with the CPP-NPA-NDF, then the Jolo bombings could have been prevented,” he said. 

The group also said the administration has ₱8.5 billion in confidential and intelligence funds at its disposal to thwart any terror attacks.

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