Metro Manila was placed under heightened alert following the latest bomb attacks in Jolo, Sulu, that killed at least 14 people and seriously wounded 72 soldiers and civilians.
Alert levels in airports, seaports and vital installations as well as places of convergence have been raised, said Metro Manila police chief Debold Sinas.
All district and police station commanders have also been told to intensify police visibility.
He also ordered his men to continue their intelligence operations to prevent any possible terror attack, and to deploy bomb-sniffing dogs for random checks in establishments such as train stations, bus terminals and malls.
Army commander, Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, said he is recommending that Sulu be placed under martial law following the twin bombings Monday.
"I think it is wise (for the government to) declare (martial law) again," he added in Filipino during an interview with reporters Tuesday.
He said the situation must be brought under control or more attacks would take place.
He clarified, however, that his recommendation would have to move up the chain of command, to the Armed Forces chief, the Defense secretary, then to the President.
Sobejana said he has yet to make a formal recommendation as he is still in Mindanao and will consult his staff once he arrives in Manila.
In an earlier interview with radio dwIZ, Sobejana said the two female suicide bombers responsible for Monday's attack were probably working for Abu Sayyaf leader Mundi Sawadjaan, and were widows of terrorists who were killed by government troops. One of them was Indonesian, he said.
“The two female suicide bombers are the wives of Norman Lasuca, the first Filipino suicide bomber and the other is the wife of Abu Talha, a conduit of the international Islamic State operating on the island of Sulu,” Sobejana said in a radio interview.
Lasuca was killed in a suicide attack June 28 last year at the gate of the Army’s tactical command post of the First Brigade Combat Team in Sitio Tanjung, brgy Kajatian, Sulu. Three soldiers and three civilians were also killed in the incident.
Talha was killed in an encounter with government troops.
Strict security measures were imposed in Jolo, Sulu where movements of residents are being checked thoroughly by authorities and checkpoints have been fortified to deter more terror attacks.
Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate rejected Sobejana’s suggestion that martial law be imposed again on Sulu.
Zarate, Reps. Mujiv Hataman of Basilan, Amihilda Sangcopan of Anak Mindanao and Niña Taduran of ACT-CIS condemned the attacks and called for justice for the soldiers, policemen and civilians who were killed or injured.
But Zarate said the attack should not be used to justify the “unconstitutional terror law.”
He added these latest bombing incidents should be investigated thoroughly and the culprits must be made accountable.
Hataman condemned the attacks as well.
"We express our deepest condolences and offer our sincerest sympathies to those left behind by the blast victims. We grieve with you as you cope with another unnecessary loss from an act of terrorism," Hataman, a deputy speaker, said.
“Now more than ever, we condemn this act of terrorism… We will not allow a few to curtail our road to peace. We will not allow these cowards to achieve their misguided objectives, and we will not bow down to fear," said Hataman as he urged law enforcement authorities to bring the perpetrators to justice.
Sangcopan called for sobriety in the midst of the chaos and appealed to authorities to immediately conduct a thorough investigation on the incident.
She also called on fellow Tausug to stay safe by refraining from going out of their homes unless necessary.
Taduran, an assistant majority leader, called for vigilance and stricter security measures as foreign terrorists are getting active again in the country.
Senate President Vicente Sotto III said there was no need to reimpose martial law since the Anti-Terror Law is already in place.
“That was one of the reasons we passed it, we are hoping it will solve the terrorism in Mindanao,” he said.
Senator Panfilo Lacson said they have passed a strong Anti-Terrorism Law so that security forces can better address terrorism in Mindanao and the rest of the country.
Unfortunately, the agencies tasked to craft the implementing rules and regulations of the law have not yet issued them.
Lacson said the IRR could have given our law enforcement agencies and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) the impetus to fully implement the law with efficacy and confidence.
Several senators assailed the deadly blasts that hit Jolo, Sulu and called on authorities to bring the perpetrators to justice.
Senator Risa Hontiveros asked the authorities to ensure the public’s safety and “conduct a full investigation into this act of terror.”
“We are united with our countrymen in Jolo in their pursuit of justice and peace,” she added.
United States Ambassador Sung Kim on Tuesday denounced the twin bomb attacks in Jolo, Sulu.
"I offer my sincerest condolences to the families and friends of the victims of yesterday’s bombings in Jolo," the US envoy said, in a Twitter post.
“We join the Philippine government in condemning these attacks and will continue to support our Filipino partners to strengthen national security,” he added.
The American diplomat also retweeted the post of US State Department Assistant Secretary David Stilwell who “offers his deepest condolences to those affected by the bombing in Jolo, Philippines.”
“We condemn this senseless attack and stand by the people of the Philippines,” Stilwell said.
The Joint Task Force Sulu earlier said the wounded persons include 24 government troops, 48 civilians and six police officers.
The fatalities included seven soldiers, six civilians, a policeman, and the female suicide bomber who caused the second explosion in Barangay Walled City at 1 p.m. on Monday.
Reports showed that the first blast occurred at 11:55 a.m. in front of Paradise grocery store when an improvised explosive device, placed on a parked motorcycle, exploded. The second explosion was reportedly carried out by a suicide bomber.
Military said security forces were conducting security patrols in the area when the explosions went off.
Due to the blast, the town of Jolo was placed under lockdown to prevent further attacks. Government troops in the area are on high alert.
The spokesman of the 11th Infantry Division said the attacks were carried out by the Abu Sayyaf Group.
The Commission on Human Rights on Tuesday denounced the recent bombing in Jolo, Sulu as “cruel and inhuman.”
“No one should be made to suffer from such violence,” commission spokeswoman Jacqueline Ann de Guia said.
“The CHR strongly condemns this attack against innocent civilians, which left at least 14 dead and several others wounded. We call on the government to investigate this incident and make perpetrators accountable for this crime in line with the government's obligation to uphold and protect human rights of all,” she said in a statement.
“At the same time, this violence comes at a time when the country observes the International Humanitarian Law Month. We call out the perpetrators of this bombing for their blatant disregard for protection granted to civilians against such assaults. As this year’s theme stresses, preserving human dignity is a shared responsibility and we, likewise, urge non-State parties to respect this call in defense of human rights,” she added.
The agency will conduct an investigation into the incident.
