MANILA, Philippines — Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Wednesday recommended that President Duterte lift martial law in Mindanao when it expires on Dec. 31.
Lorenzana said that martial law had greatly improved the security situation in Mindanao, including the islands of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-tawi.
Martial law was declared in Mindanao via Proclamation No. 216 that the President signed on May 23, 2017, after the Maute group laid siege to Marawi City.
Its 60-day validity was extended in 2018 and extended again to the end of this year. —Jeannette I. Andrade
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