DND chief: Time to lift ML

I just sent my recommendation today to the President, recommending the non-extension of martial law in Mindanao.

Believing previous problems on public order in Mindanao particularly from terror groups had subsided, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana recommended to President Rodrigo Duterte the termination of martial law by the end of the year.

The imprimatur of Congress on military rule ends 31 December after three extensions.

Lorenzana, in a forum, announced that he already submitted his recommendation to the Office of the President yesterday.

“I just sent my recommendation today to the President, recommending the non-extension of martial law in Mindanao, the whole of Mindanao,” Lorenzana announced.

The Defense chief stressed that his recommendation was based on the assessment and briefing provided to him by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Lorenzana said the implementation of martial law in Mindanao for more than two years had achieved its goal of “addressing the threat posed by Daesh-inspired Maute group and maintaining peace and order.”

“I was assured by the Armed Forces and the police force that we have accomplished what we need to do. With the situation there now, we believe we can maintain peace and order and improve it further without martial law,” he said.

Once martial law is lifted, the PNP takes over from the military the task of maintaining peace and order in Mindanao.

At the same time, he cited the impact of the lifting of martial law on the business sector in Mindanao.

“It’s time to go back to normal. We can attract more investors,” Lorenzana said.

The President declared martial law in Mindanao hours after the Maute-Islamic State group laid siege on Marawi City on 23 May 2017.

The siege ended after five months, resulting in the killing of more than 1,000 terrorists, government troops and civilians. Marawi City was left in ruins.

It was supposed to last for only 60 days, but Mr. Duterte requested Congress to extend it thrice due to prevailing security concerns.

“The AFP believes that the Maute Group and other threat groups can no longer launch a Marawi-type attack as their forces and capabilities have significantly dwindled,” Lorenzana said.