Gonzales eyeing state of emergency in Basilan

Port del Pilar, Baguio City, Philippines – The defense department may place Basilan under a state of emergency following an attack by Abu Sayyaf bandits and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels last Saturday that claimed the lives of 11 people.

Defense Secretary Norberto Gonzales yesterday said he would meet with Basilan leaders next week to discuss ways to stabilize the security situation in the province and revealed that declaring a state of emergency is an option.

“That (declaring a state of emergency in Basilan) may be discussed. I will go there next week and talk to our troops and the local officials. We want to know their sentiments,” said Gonzales, who graced the pre-graduation parade of the Philippine Military Academy’s Batch 2010.

“I will go there to find ways to protect the barangays affected by the operations of the Abu Sayyaf… I will give my recommendations to the President after my visit to Basilan,” he added.

A state of emergency would entail various security measures such as deployment of additional troops, setting up of checkpoints or imposition of curfew.

Gonzales said some sectors even want to declare martial law in the province but clarified that they are not prepared to do it.

“As of now, we do not need to do that,” he said.

The defense chief, however, admitted that not much has changed in Basilan as far as its security situation is concerned.

“Many responsible citizens there are even asking me to tighten the security,” he said.

Gonzales said they will also investigate reports that some politicians in Basilan are conniving with the Abu Sayyaf.

“We need to look into that closely. We know that almost all groups in Basilan are armed,” he said.

Lawless groups, including suspected members of the Abu Sayyaf, attacked a village in Maluso, Basilan on Saturday, killing at least 11 people and wounding 10 others.

The military said the attackers, who also torched several houses, came from the group of Abu Sayyaf commander Puruji Indama and rogue MILF leader Dick Alao.

Authorities suspect that the attack may have been motivated by “rido” or clan war.

Troops from the Army’s 32nd Infantry Battalion are now running after the attackers.