Lorenzana mum on martial law recommendation

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana INQUIRER.net file photo

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana has submitted to President Rodrigo Duterte their recommendation on the fate of martial law in Mindanao.

“We already submitted our recommendation yesterday,” he told reporters at Camp Aguinaldo on Tuesday.

Lorenzana was mum on the contents of the recommendation, but said the recommendation was based on the prevailing situation in Mindanao.

“Bahala na ang Malacañang mag-announce kung ano yun (It is up to Malacañang to announce what it is),” he said.

READ: Palace to decide whether or not to extend martial law in Mindanao

Duterte declared martial law in Mindanao on May 23, when Maute-ISIS fighters attacked Marawi City. The 60-day promulgation ended last July 22 but was later extended by Congress until Dec. 31 this year.

In a press briefing last week, Bangon Marawi Task Force chair Eduardo del Rosario said he was personally pushing for the declaration of martial law to secure rehabilitation efforts.

He also cited intelligence reports suggesting massive recruitment by local Islamic State supporters in Marawi City.

But Lorenzana said they have not received any “concrete evidence” on the reported recruitment. /jpv