EDITORIAL - Wagging the dog?

Nine soldiers were wounded, but at least there were no fatalities when an improvised explosive device went off yesterday as an advance security convoy for President Duterte was driving through a road in Marawi City. Of the nine, seven are members of the Presidential Security Group, who were sent to Marawi for Duterte’s visit to the city today.

Security officials are said to be eyeing the Islamic State-inspired Maute group for the bombing. President Duterte has refused to cancel his visit to Marawi today, but this does not make the attack any less troubling. As worrisome as the explosion is the speculation that the administration appears to be wagging the dog and laying the groundwork for the suspension of certain civil liberties, all in the name of fighting threats to public safety.

Because of the raging controversy over the burial of Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani, yesterday’s bombing raised comparisons with the ambush staged by Juan Ponce Enrile on his own convoy when he was Marcos’ defense chief in 1972. The ambush was used as the immediate pretext for the declaration of martial law and the start of the dictatorship.

Today’s speculations were fueled by President Duterte’s reported plan to suspend the writ of habeas corpus to deal with troublemakers. The discovery of an IED outside the US embassy the other day, which was safely detonated by the police, further stoked speculative scenarios.

The Abu Sayyaf and armed militants in Mindanao normally set off bombs instead of leaving the explosives in areas where these can be easily found. Communist rebels do not stage violent attacks in crowded areas where the likelihood of civilian casualties is high. Besides, the communist leadership is deep in talks with the government for peace. So who left that IED in a trash bin outside the embassy? The Mautes must still be preoccupied with a military offensive in the Lanao del Sur town of Butig.

With his lingering immense popularity plus his peace initiatives, President Duterte does not need special powers to quell rebellions. If he wants to suspend certain civil liberties to exterminate the Abu Sayyaf or pound the group into surrender, there’s no need to lay the groundwork by staging violent scenarios. The administration has denied speculations that efforts are afoot to pave the way for the declaration of martial law. With recent developments, more effort is needed to put such concerns to rest.