Round ‘em up Philippine National Police chief Director General Oscar Albayalde points to a matrix of Abu Sayyaf militants who are suspected of being involved in the bombing of a cathedral in Jolo that killed 22 persons. AFP">Round ‘em up Philippine National Police chief Director General Oscar Albayalde points to a matrix of Abu Sayyaf militants who are suspected of being involved in the bombing of a cathedral in Jolo that killed 22 persons. AFP

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana vowed to support the lifting of martial law on Mindanao on one condition, which is that legislators pass the anti-terrorism bill within the first half of the year.

Lorenzana said if the law is passed 30 June he will recommend the lifting of military rule by 1 July. The measure seeks to strengthen the Human Security Act which is the main legislation against terrorism but which security officials said is among the weakest law against terror in the region.

Lorenzana made the statement during the National Defense College of the Philippines Alumni forum, titled “The National Security Outlook for the Philippines in 2019,” which was held at Honor Hall, NDCP Compound, Camp Aguinaldo, in Quezon City.

The Defense chief said such law, if enacted, will no longer necessitate the proclamation of martial law and the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus.

Existing laws against terrorism have no teeth, which demands the creation of such measure, he added.

“This is the main argument that we presented to the Senate when we were there to defend martial law. I told them if they can pass it within the (first) half of this year, then I can recommend the cessation of martial law,” he said.

Lorenzana said the extension of martial law in Mindanao will help the government address violent extremism and terrorism.

He said martial law allows law enforcement agencies, local officials and the military to coordinate, collaborate and communicate efficiently and effectively.

“It ensures that the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) can provide an environment conducive to rehabilitation and development,” Lorenzana noted.

Congress, in joint session on 12 December, approved the extension of martial law in Mindanao until 31 December 2019.

Convening in a joint session early December, the Senate and the House of Representatives granted the Chief Executive’s request for the extension of martial law and the suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus for a period of one year from 1 January to 31 December 2018.

Meanwhile, the supposed brother of a slain Abu Sayyaf leader who is suspected to have triggered the twin bombs at the Jolo Cathedral that killed at least 23 people has surrendered, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Oscar Albayalde said.

In a press briefing in Camp Crame, Albayalde disclosed that Kammah Pae, alias Kamah, brother of bandit leader Surakah Ingog who died in 2018, is now in police custody after surrendering to the military over the weekend.

The police chief noted that aside from Kamah, Albaji Kisae Gadjdali (alias Awag), Rajan Bakil Gadjali (alias Radjan), Kaisar Bakil Gadjali (alias Isal) and Salit Alih (alias Papong) — who all performed individual roles during the incident — also surrendered to the Special Investigation Task Group.

“What happened here was a forced surrender because of the massive operations being conducted,” said Albayalde in a press briefing, adding that while Kamah “is not admitting anything,” his accomplices pointed to him as the one who escorted the suicide bombers.

He also revealed that an assembled improvised explosive device and components of a bomb were recovered in his home. Authorities are set to file cases of multiple murder and multiple frustrated murder before the provincial prosecutor of Sulu.

“The suspects belong to a group of 22 Abu Sayyaf personalities, led by Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan, and are believed to be responsible for the terrorist attack at the Our Lady of Mt Carmel Cathedral during a Sunday Mass last week,” said Albayalde.

Authorities earlier said the Ajang-Ajang subgroup was inspired by Islamic State (IS) and has pledged allegiance to the international terror group.

A bomb that went off inside the church during the Eucharistic celebration was followed by another explosion outside after troops descended on the area. According to the PNP’s latest count, 23 were killed in the incident and 95 others were wounded.

To recall, the first bomb was detonated by a female and the second by a male.

They are believed to be an Indonesian couple, who, according to witnesses, do not speak Tausug. According to the PNP chief, the man had been in the Philippines for about a year while his wife arrived only a few days before the bombing.

“Sawadjaan and 13 other suspects in the bombing remain at large, while three others, including the suicide bombers, have been killed,” he said.

Albayalde also stressed that the explosion – which came just days after parts of Mindanao voted for the ratification of a law creating a Bangsamoro region in the south — had nothing to do with the plebiscite.

“(It has) nothing to do with BOL (Bangsamoro Organic Law). It’s a plain act of terror,” he said. “This is being planned many years back, especially the attack at the cathedral.”

One of the objectives in targeting the church is “for Christians and Muslims to fight, to create chaos and terror,” he explained.

The group could have also staged the bombing to gain international notoriety and receive funding from ISIS, he said.

State authorities will continue “relentless” operation against the suspected terrorists in the south in keeping with the directive from President Rodrigo Duterte to launch an “all-out war” against them.

Government troops in Maguindanao also welcomed the surrender of 10 rebels from Bangsamoro International Freedom Fighters (BIFF).

Those who surrendered were led by Gani Saligan, 4th Brigade Commander of 2nd Division, BIFF and his followers identified as Rafael Asim, Ksain Bantilan, Alex Datungan, Aladin Saligan, Longs Bantilan, Elmer Mangatog, Alan Saligan, Muhammid Maslamama and Kanaw Maslamama. They surrendered to the 6th Infantry Division.

They also turned over their high-powered firearms composed of 50 caliber Barret, ultimax 5.56mm and M14 rifles and .45 caliber pistol with assorted magazines and ammunitions.

The rebels were presented last Sunday to Maj. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana and Brig. Gen. Diosdado Carreon at Awang, Datu Odin Sinsuat in Maguindanao.

“I want to live a peaceful life with my family. There are promises from our leadership that did not happened,” said Saligan.