Sulu guv favors martial rule in province

Sulu Governor Abdusakur “Totoh” Tan II is in favor of imposing martial law in the province to once and for all crush terrorist group Abu Sayyaf, according to a report on GMA News TV's "State of the Nation with Jessica Soho" on Thursday. 

The bandits are hiding in Sulu's dense forests, taking with them hostages who may be killed at any time if ransom demands are not met. 

"Hirap na hirap na kami. Matagal na kami dumadanas dahil sa kagagawan ng Abu Sayyaf na ito," Tan said in a report filed by GMA News reporter Jun Veneracion. 

Tan also said the martial rule should only be for a limited period of time to prevent massive casualties and displacement of residents. 

According to Article VII, Section 18 of the 1987 Constitution, the President as commander-in-chief may call out the armed forces “to prevent or suppress lawless violence, invasion or rebellion" for a maximum period of 60 days.

Within 48 hours from the proclamation of martial law, the President must submit a report in person or in writing to Congress, which may vote to revoke or extend such proclamation. 

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo resorted to this measure in December 2009 when she placed Maguindanao under martial law as authorities rounded up suspects in the killing of over 50 people, including journalists, the month before. 

President Benigno Aquino III has briefly entertained the idea of imposing martial law to save the lives of foreign and local hostages. Canadian Robert Hall was eventually beheaded by the bandits on Monday. John Ridsdel, also a Canadian national, was previously beheaded. The group is still holding two hostages, Norwegian national Kjartan Sekkingstad and Filipina Marites Flor. These four hostages were kidnapped by the group from Samal island in September last year.

But Aquino said he decided against the idea because there was no assurance martial law would help in rescuing Hall and other hostages. 

While the imposition of martial law is still uncertain, the Armed Forces of the Philippines assured of intensified efforts to locate the Abu Sayyaf's lair. 

"We have started new systems para ma-preempt natin 'yung flexibility nila moving around. So meron na tayong operations para ma-restrict ang kanilang movements,"  said Lt. Col. Franco Alano, spokesman of operating troops in Sulu.

Lt. Gen. Ricardo Visaya, incoming chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), told reporters on Thursday said placing Basilan and Sulu under martial law to contain the Abu Sayyaf is an option for the incoming Duterte administration.

However, he said this strategy needs further study.

"As far as I'm concerned, that is an option (martial law)," Visaya said.  

"Pwedeng pag-aralan natin 'yan 'yung pag-declare ng martial law dun sa Jolo (Sulu), Basilan dahil nakita naman natin na parang there is a failure of governance, so perhaps that is one option that can be undertaken para maestablish ang order sa Jolo at Basilan," he added.

Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Gov. Mujiv Hataman, however, is against placing Sulu and Basilan under martial law, and prefers an all-out offensive against the Abu Sayyaf. — Virgil Lopez/APG/KG, GMA News