Duterte to Lift Martial Law in Southern Philippines
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has decided to lift martial law in Mindanao in the southern Philippines by 2019, his spokesperson said, after three times of extention since 2017 terrorist attacks on Marawi City. “(Duterte) made the decision following the assessment of his security and defence advisers of the weakening of the terrorist and extremist rebellion, a result of the capture or neutralisation of their leaders, as well as the decrease in the crime index, among the factors considered,” spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a statement. “Contrary to the suppositions of the vocal minority on the proclamation of martial law in Mindanao,” Mr Panelo said Mr Duterte’s decision showed how he responded to the situation “on the ground.”
Mr Panelo said Mr Duterte is confident on the capability of their security forces in maintaining the peace and security of Mindanao without extending martial law.
“The people of Mindanao are assured that any incipient major threat in the region would be nipped in the bud,” Mr Panelo said.
Mr Panelo’s announcement came a week after Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana recommended the lifting of martial law. Lorenzana, the administrator of martial law, said last week that his recommendation was based on the assessment conducted by the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police.
nemani.delaibatiki@ fijisun.com.fj