MANILA, Philippines — Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana is not inclined to recommend to President Rodrigo Duterte another extension of martial law in Mindanao. “If it were up to me, I will not recommend anymore the extension,” Lorenzana said on the sidelines of Monday’s sendoff ceremony at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City for participants in the 30th Southeast Asian Games. 216 declaring martial law in Mindanao on May 23, 2017, after the Islamic State-inspired Maute group attacked Marawi City. Not necessaryLorenzana said another extension would not be necessary if Congress amended the Human Security Act. Should the military or police recommend another extension, Lorenzana said “we’ll evaluate the reasons of the military and the police and act accordingly.”In Malacañang, presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the President would consider the recommendation of Lorenzana.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer November 11, 2019 20:55 UTC