Sobejana may recommend martial law for Sulu after twin blasts in Jolo

August 25, 2020

Army chief Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana may recommend declaration of martial law in the province of Sulu following two explosions in Jolo on Monday where at least 14 were killed.

"Maybe it's high time to it bring back (martial law), if I may respectfully recommend to our President through our Chief of Staff and Secretary of National Defense to again declare martial law in the area in the province of Sulu because of the recent bombing incident," Sobejana said in a radio interview Tuesday.

"Yes, the situation dictates, calls for, because with that recent incident, there are a lot of casualties, to better control the population, i think it is wise to again declare it," he added.

Sobejana emphasized the declaration of martial law in bring back the normalcy in the province of Sulu following the explosions.  

"To back normalcy and to really control even the movement... it (violence) has to be controlled, because otherwise it will be repetitive, victimizing the locals. This is the intention is to ensure that everything is being controlled, ito especially the movements of the terror groups," he said.

"Like before we color code the vehicles or vessels of every municipality, so we can monitor where the vehicles come from and its owner, so now if we have that they will think twice, or the people will refuse to lend their vessels or vehicles," he added.

When asked if he will make a formal recommendation for the declaration of martial law in Sulu, Sobejana said he will also consult his staff.

"I'm still on travel. I'm here in Mindanao, when I arrive I will consult my staff also," he said. Robina Asido/DMS