Lift or stay martial law? Recommendation out this month – Lorenzana

Delfin Lorenzana. FILE PHOTO

As President Rodrigo Duterte declared Marawi City “liberated from terrorist influence” and after the death of the two top terrorists behind the Marawi siege, Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana would likely make a recommendation on whether to lift or extend martial law in Mindanao within the month.

In an interview, Lorenzana stressed that situation would have to be thoroughly assessed first before they propose on the fate on the martial law declaration over the region.

“Siguro sa katapusan ng buwan na ito. Siguro magbibigay kami ng rekomendasyon kay Presidente siguro within this month, before the end of this month,” he said in an interview with Radyo Singko on Tuesday.

Lorenzana said that businessmen have been asking him about the fate of martial law in the past few weeks.

“Nagtatanong rin sa akin yung mga ibang businessmen dito sa Mindanao kasi napipigilan daw yung mga investor na pumunta rito dahil sa martial law kahit malayo sa kaguluhan,” he noted.

He pointed out that the terrorists continue to have supporters in Basilan, Jolo, Zamboanga and Central Mindanao.

“Pero pinagtutuunan natin yan ng pansin noon pa man nung kasalukuyang maraming nangyayari sa Marawi ay marami na tayong ginagawa dyan katulad ng pagiigting ng security measures sa mga syudad at vulnerable areas,” Lorenzana said.

Duterte placed the entire Mindanao under a 60-day martial law, which began on May 23, when clashes erupted between government forces and ISIS-linked Maute Group.

But martial law was later extended until Dec. 31 through a joint session in Congress.  /kga