Director General Ronald “Bato” de la Rosa. INQUIRER FILE
The Philippine National Police has recommended to President Rodrigo Duterte the extension of martial law in Mindanao.
In a press briefing on Monday, PNP chief Ronald dela Rosa said they submitted their proposal on martial law extension last Friday.
“Meron kaming position paper na sinubmit last Friday expressing our stand on extension ng martial law. Pero hindi kami naglagay ng period up to when,” he told reporters.
The PNP chief said they made the recommendation because some narcopoliticians believed to be supporting the Maute terrorist group remained at large.
“We still have to account for them,” Dela Rosa said.
The military submitted its own recommendation last Thursday.
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Sunday refused to give details of their recommendation.
“Let us wait for the President’s decision. It could be the same as mine or [different]. If different, detractors will pit us against each other again. It’s better to wait,” he told reporters.
Duterte placed the whole of Mindanao under martial law on May 23 after hundreds of gunmen from the Islamic State (ISIS)-inspired Maute and Abu Sayyaf terrorist groups seized parts of Marawi City.
The declaration, which has been upheld by the Supreme Court, is effective for 60 days. CBB/rga