Medialdea: Blasts in south 'not good signs,' martial law extension may be an 'option'

MANILA -- Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea said Wednesday the government was monitoring the situation in the south in the wake of an explosion that killed at least 2 people and extending martial law could be an "option."

Martial law will expire at the end of this year after being in force since May last year, at the height of fighting between the military and Islamic State-inspired militants in Marawi City.

Asked if Malacanang would seek another extension of martial law, Medialdea told reporters: "Not necessarily."

"We will see how it goes. It’s an option. We are trying to make it as easy as possible. If these things happen, what will we do? Will just sit around?" Medialdea said.

"These are not good signs. Lives and limbs are in danger. Imagine, you are attending a festival and you get bombed?"

• 2 patay, higit 30 sugatan sa pagsabog sa Sultan Kudarat

• Congress extends Mindanao martial law until end of 2018

Extension ng martial law sa Mindanao maaaring option matapos ang pagsabog sa Sultan Kudarat ayon kay Exec. Secretary Salvador Medialdea pic.twitter.com/R0HCIdOvn5

— Zandro Ochona (@ZandroDZMM) August 29, 2018

An explosion rocked Isulan town, Sultan Kudarat late Tuesday just as residents were celebrating a fiesta. Two people were killed, including a 7-year-old girl, and 30 others were hurt.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque told radio dzRH that those behind the blast would "feel the full weight of the law."

On July 31, 10 people were killed after a bomb exploded in a van at an army checkpoint in Basilan. The Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack.