Malacañang on Wednesday disclosed that President Rodrigo Duterte will consider imposition of martial law in the Jolo, Sulu following the twin explosions that killed and hurt civilians and soldiers on Monday.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque stressed that the President listens to the proposals from the people on the ground.

An Indonesian woman was said to have carried out the attack while the other suicide bomber is yet unconfirmed by authorities if she was Filipina. Both are said to be related to dead Abu Sayyaf fighters.

The Palace statement came after Philippine Army chief Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana suggested the imposition of martial rule in the province.

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Archie Gamboa backed him up.

However, Roque stressed that a declaration of martial law will have to be considered by both houses of Congress and the Supreme Court (SC).

“Well, the President will, of course, consider this recommendation as will both Congress and the Supreme Court. Because, as you know, a declaration of martial law now contains safeguards not found in the 1935 Constitution,” Roque said.

“Now, they will have to be a notice given to Congress, and Congress would have to be satisfied with both the legal and factual basis for the declaration and this is without prejudice to judicial review on both the factual and legal considerations for the imposition of martial law,” he stated.

“So, although the recommendation has been made, the President has to be very careful that it will pass the scrutiny of both the legislative and the judicial branches of government,” Roque added.

The Palace official also clarified that the President’s silence on the twin blasts in Jolo should not be seen as a concern because Malacañang already issued a statement about the incident.

Earlier, authorities disclosed that 15 people were killed while 75 others were wounded as a result of the two explosions.

“We have previously issued a statement condemning the attack. It is a violation of the laws and customs of warfare and previous to that, he had a command conference where it was discussed but the command conference was confidential in nature,” Roque said.

“I was not even allowed to sit in through the meeting where he met with the top leadership of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police. So the fact that he did not say anything, it’s probably because he has given the necessary orders to the top brass of the AFP and the PNP, and he doesn’t discuss what he intend to do as far as situation on the ground is, publicly,” he added.

Roque also noted that whether or not the President verbalized his concern for the soldiers, Duterte always “walks the talk.”

“He has a policy of not just condoling with the family, but providing financial assistance for the family and the victims of this latest attack will not be an exception to the rule; they will be given due recognition as modern-day heroes,” Roque said.

On the question whether the President will visit Jolo, anytime soon, Roque said that is out of the question given the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic and the situation on the ground in Jolo.