Alejano, Chel Diokno express concern over Mindanao security situation

Two senatorial candidates on Sunday expressed their concern over the security situation in Mindanao, as the region has been hit by terrorist attacks despite being under martial law.

In an interview aired on dzxl RMN 558, Magdalo Representative Gary Alejano raised questions over the security situation in Mindanao given the recent bombings.

"Doon sa Jolo bombing, sinabi ng ating gobyerno, August of last year pa lang alam na nila; mayroon na silang information. At may budget ho tayo—napakalaki—hindi lamang sa ating Armed Forces o sa PNP, sa opisina mismo ng ating Presidente, malaki ang confidential and intelligence funds diyan," he said.

"And the fact na nalusutan, kahit ano pang sabihin ng ating gobyerno, I understand na nagta-trabaho ang ating military, ang ating pulis, pero the fact na may sumabog, nalusutan," added Alejano.

Twin blasts mere moments apart hit the Mount Carmel Cathedral in Jolo in Sulu last week, killing at least 21 individuals and injuring scores.

Three days later, two peoples were killed while three were wounded in an early morning grenade attack at a Zamboanga City mosque.

“Talagang nalulungkot kami sa pag-extend ng martial law dahil ang daming natatamaan, lalong lalo na iyong mga lumad, ang mga [indigenous peoples], ang mga mahihirap—sila iyong totoong mukha—sabihin natin—ng martial law sa Mindanao,” said human rights lawyer Chel Diokno of the Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG).

Diokno is among the FLAG lawyers representing lumad teachers and students asking the Supreme Court (SC) to declare the third extension of martial law in Mindanao as unconstitutional. — Jon Viktor D. Cabuenas/BM, GMA News