Martial law in Mindanao might stay until the end of the year despite the termination of combat operations against Islamic State-linked Maute terrorists in Marawi City, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana has said. He said the extension or lifting of martial law would also depend on the recommendations of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police. On May 23, the day when the Maute terrorists attacked Marawi City, President Rodrigo Duterte declared martial law over Mindanao for a period of 60 days. When the declaration reached its 60-day limit, Congress, in joint session, overwhelmingly voted to extend martial law until the end of the year. The Supreme Court also ruled that the declaration of martial law by Duterte was constitutional, junking the petitions filed by several individuals including Rep. Edcel Lagman of Albay.

Source: Manila Times October 27, 2017 16:30 UTC