MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte will consider the recommendation of the Philippine Army and the police to impose martial law in Sulu following the twin blasts that rocked Jolo on Monday.
“The President of course will consider this recommendation. Although the recommendation has been made, the President has to be very careful that it would pass the scrutiny of both the legislative and judicial branches of government,” Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in an interview with CNN Philippines on Wednesday.
“The recommendations have been made and the President listens to those on the ground,” he added.
According to Roque, Duterte conducted a command conference recently with the police and military regarding the deadly blasts.
Philippine Army chief Lieutenant General Cirilito Sobejana and Philippine National Police chief General Archie Gamboa on Tuesday pushed for martial rule in Sulu to allow the military and police “more operational flexibility” to carry out law enforcement operations against threat groups.
Department of Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra, meanwhile, said that the chief executive might consider the martial law if the bombings that killed 15 people and injured over 70 others is found to be an act of rebellion./PN
