MANILA (Updated) -- Malacañang condemned on Tuesday, July 31, the latest terror attack in Basilan province that killed 11 people, including a 10-year-old child.
"We condemn in the strongest possible terms the latest terrorist attack in Basilan perpetrated in violation of our laws," Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. told Palace reporters.
An improvised explosive device installed in a white van exploded around 5:50 a.m. Tuesday, July 31, while members of the 9th Scout Ranger Company were conducting a checkpoint near a Magkawit detachment in Colonia village, Lamitan, Basilan.
READ: Basilan blast kills child, 9 others
Roque said the Basilan attack was considered a "war crime," since it violated Section 4(c)(1) of Republic Act (RA) 9851.
"We note that even in times of war, the attack constitutes a war crime because it constitutes an indiscriminate attack, which is prohibited by [Section] 4(c)(1), Attacks on Civilian, by RA 9851," he said.
RA 9851's Section 4(c)(1) states that "intentionally directing attacks the civilian population as such or against individual civilians not taking direct part in hostilities" constitutes a war crime.
Authorities are considering the incident as a suicide bombing by a foreign-looking driver of the van, who was suspected to be a member of the Abu Sayyaf group (ASG), according to news reports.
The explosion in Basilan, a stronghold of ASG, came more than a year since Islamic State-affiliated Maute terrorists laid siege to Marawi City, Lanao del Sur province that prompted President Rodrigo Duterte to declare martial rule in the whole of Mindanao.
The promulgation of martial law in Mindanao is effective until December 31, 2018.
Asked why the incident occurred despite the martial law declaration in the south, Roque said: "I do not know how it happened. What I'm saying is illegal acts will happen whether or not we have intelligence communities. Perhaps, one thing that the military and security establishments must look into is their intelligence capability."
Roque said the government would hold accountable the perpetrators behind the bombing.
"We do not know who's behind it yet. They're still investigating," he said. "Authorities are now investigating the incident even as we vow to bring the perpetrators of this brazen attack to justice."
Despite the incident, Roque reiterated Duterte's appeal to ASG members to surrender, assuring them that they would receive assistance from the government.
"Ini-enganyo niyang mag-surrender nga 'yung mga Abu Sayyaf kasi meron ng mga ilang Abu Sayyaf na nag-surrender na. Binigyan din natin ng tulong (He's encouraging the Abu Sayyaf members to surrender, because there are some Abu Sayyaf bandits who already surrendered. They were given assistance)," he said.
"Wala pang binibigyan ng amnesty. At I don't think the President is contemplating amnesty for them (No one was granted amnesty. And I don't think the President is contemplating amnesty for them). [But] that's the only way to erase their criminal liability," he added. (SunStar Philippines)