Martial law can't be lifted yet: AFP

ALTHOUGH Marawi City has been declared liberated following the killing of two top leaders of the terrorist group who pledged allegiance to the international terrorist network Islamic State (Isis), martial law will not yet be lifted because of the prevailing threats in other parts of Mindanao.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (CSAFP) chief-of-staff General Eduardo Año, on Tuesday evening at Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom), said, "Dito sa Marawi tapos na yong crisis pero sa iba't-ibang dako ng Mindanao,

mga threats pa na dapat tapusin katulad ng Basilan, Sulu, at Maguindanao. So yan ang susunod na step na ating gagawin," he said.

He said that the troops assigned in Marawi City who helped in the fighting will be transferred to these areas which still have high terrorist threats.

"Our other troops galing Marawi ay dadalhin natin doon at pagpupursigihin natin ang pagsupil dito sa mga terrorist sa ibang lugar," he said.

He said they will undergo security assessment from the ground if martial law could now be lifted and will just recommend it to President Rodrigo Duterte. He said that it is still up to the President if he will cease it given all the recommendations submitted to him.

Año, meanwhile, commended the troops of Eastmincom for being able to implement the provisions of martial law without human rights violation and preventing possible spillover.

Contrary to the initial apprehensions of the public when martial law was declared, the AFP, he said, was able to act professionally in accordance to the rule of law.

"In fact, yong mga negosyante, yong mga taga rito sa Mindanao, sila ang unag-unang kokontra kapag ini-lift mo ang Martial Law ngayon because they feel safe, they feel secured," he said, adding that only those outside Luzon is opposing the implementation of martial law.

Duterte declared martial law in Mindanao on May 23, hours after the attack of Maute terrorist group. JCR