It was Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff General Eduardo Año who personally recommended to President Rodrigo Duterte to extend martial law in Mindanao up to the end of the year. “What’s the duration of martial law extension which the military and defense establishment recommended?” Lagman asked Año. Asked if they left to the discretion of President Duterte the period of extension, Año said: “No, your honor. I specifically recommended that.”READ: Duterte wants martial law in Mindanao extended until end of 2017Año later defended that it was the not because of martial law that destruction happened in Marawi City but the new urban warfare employed by the ISIS-inspired Maute group. For donation from overseas:Inquirer Foundation Corp account:Inquirer Foundation Corp. Banco De Oro (BDO) Current Account No: 007960018860Swift Code: BNORPHMM

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer July 22, 2017 04:07 UTC