INSTEAD of pushing for martial law, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gilbert Gapay said they will focus on implementing the Anti-Terrorism Act and Proclamation No. 55, which placed the entire Philippines under a state of national emergency.
He said martial law is an option, but it still needs congressional approval.
What the military needs now are measures that can be immediately implemented to arrest the perpetrators of the terrorist attack in Jolo, Sulu and monitor the activities of terrorist groups in Mindanao, Gapay said in a television interview.
"The reimposition of martial law in Mindanao is one of the options that we are considering. What we need right now are measures that can be immediately implemented so we could right away arrest and check the activities of terrorist groups, not only in Jolo, Sulu, but in the entire island of Mindanao," he said in a television interview.
"What we're thinking is the long process of approval because it would pass through a legislative process and it takes some time before we could secure congressional approval," he added.
Gapay said that for now, they will stick to strengthening the implementation of Proclamation No. 55 and the implementation of the new Anti-Terrorism Act.
Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom) Chief Corleto Vinluan, for his part, said in a radio interview that there is no need for Sulu province to be placed under martial law as long as everyone cooperates in the campaign against terrorism.
“During our meeting presided by the governor saka ng din ng mga municipal mayors saka other stakeholders, ang binigyan ko ng... in-emphasize ko sa kanila na with the active participation ng local officials down to barangay level saka mga individuals, hindi na kailangan na i-declare ang martial law dito,” he said in a radio interview.
“Importante ‘yung mga tao natin eh,” he added.
There have been reports that some residents were in cahoots with Abu Sayyaf Group members and leaders.
Vinluan also said he did not see the need to augment military forces in Sulu.
"For now ang kailangan namin dito is 'yung economic package para sa civilians dito but for the military presence, I think law enforcers here are enough to go after the ASG," he said.
Earlier, Philippine Army Chief Cirilito Sobejana said he will recommend that Sulu be placed under martial law again following the twin explosions in Jolo on Monday, August 24, which killed 15 people, including eight soldiers, and wounded 74 people.
Sobejana’s call was supported by Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Archie Gamboa. (SunStar Philippines)