Gloria Arroyo, Sultan Kudarat execs back martial law extension

MANILA, Philippines — Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo yesterday supported the proposed third extension of martial law in Mindanao floated by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea after Tuesday’s deadly Sultan Kudarat blast, whose death toll rose to three people dead and several others wounded.

“I support martial law in Mindanao. I support what President does because I’ve been president and I believe that he does not need a peanut gallery to tell him what to do,” she told reporters in Pampanga, where she attended the blessing of a newly renovated hospital.

Majority Leader Rolando Andaya Jr. said there is no question that Congress would extend martial law if President Duterte asks for it.

“The declaration of martial law is the call of the executive. The President declares or extends, Congress concurs. If the President will ask for it, then it shall be given,” he said.

However, Andaya suggested that Malacañang call a meeting of the National Security Council or the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council so that the progress of the rehabilitation of Marawi City and the implementation of the Bangsamoro Organic Law could also be tackled. 

“What are the financing bottlenecks for example? Bottom line is the people of Mindanao should be consulted. In the House, the inputs and views of members from Mindanao are important. Those in or around Ground Zero should be consulted. Civilian views should be part of the discussion,” he said.

On Wednesday, just hours after the Sultan Kudarat explosion on Tuesday night, Medialdea said extending martial law in Mindanao “is an option” to quell continuing violence in the island.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque agreed with Medialdea, saying extending martial law in Mindanao is an option because of last Tuesday’s bombing attack.

Local executives in Sultan Kudarat said they would not oppose an extension of the martial law.

Maguindanao Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu also said he and the local officials in the province are not against any extension of martial law.

However, Vice President Leni Robredo led other officials in opposing the further extension of martial law in Mindanao.

Robredo said that martial law in the region has failed to suppress lawlessness and maintain peace and order.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said it would be “too early” to recommend the extension of martial law following last Tuesday’s bombing.

National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. said he was “not even thinking about martial law.” 

Senate President Vicente Sotto III said it was premature to be talking about a possible extension of martial law in Mindanao beyond the end of this year.

“I do not see the need for a martial law extension,” Sen. Francis Pangilinan added.

In May last year, President Duterte declared martial law in Mindanao and suspended the writ of habeas corpus to allow government forces to wipe out the Maute group of terrorists who had seized Marawi City.

The declaration was supposed to be good for 60 days under the Constitution. Before it expired in July, the President asked Congress to extend it up to the end of December 2017.

Before the December extension ended, Duterte again requested his congressional allies to lengthen it up to the end of this year.

Despite the imposition of martial law in Mindanao, a bomb exploded in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat late Tuesday.

Last month, a bomb-laden van exploded in a powerful blast in Lamitan, Basilan that killed 11 people, including the suspected foreign militant who drove the vehicle.

P1-million reward

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Oscar Albayalde revealed yesterday investigators have obtained leads on the man who could be responsible for the blast.

He said witnesses saw the suspect place a bag containing the bomb under a motorcycle owned by a militiaman moments before the blast. 

“They chased this person but he had a companion who was driving a motorcycle,” Albayalde told reporters in Camp Crame after he returned from Isulan yesterday.

Meanwhile, authorities are offering a P1-million reward for any information that would identify the culprits behind last Tuesday’s bomb attack in Isulan.

This developed as another victim died at the hospital, officials said, adding to the two people who were killed in the blast with more than 30 others injured.

Wellmark John Lapides, a 21-year-old student, succumbed to multiple injuries while being treated at a local hospital.

The first two fatalities in the attack, Leny Dohina Ombrog, 51, and seven-year-old Devy Shane Alayon, were declared dead on arrival in a hospital.

Local officials led by Gov. Pax Mangudadatu said they are willing to give P1 million to any informant who can help the police identify the bombers.

Albayalde visited the victims at the hospital.

“Your police officials are doing their utmost to secure justice for the victims and put the culprits behind bars,” Albayalde told the blast victims confined at the Sultan Kudarat provincial hospital.  – With John Unson, Marvin Sy, Roel Pareño, Cecille Suerte Felipe, Rhodina Villanueva, Evelyn Macairan, Jaime Laude