If Lorenzana had his way, martial law in Mindanao may end soonMANILA, Philippines — Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana is not in favor of extending the declaration of martial law in Mindanao, which will expire on December 31. President Rodrigo Duterte declared martial law in Mindanao in May 2017 following an encounter between government troops and the Maute group in Marawi City. The Defense chief said the government can do its job without retaining martial law in Mindanao. That's a better arrangement than the martial law," he said. "Martial law in Mindanao is useless as it could not even prevent heinous crimes in the major island.

Source: Philippine Star November 11, 2019 04:26 UTC