PRESIDENT Duterte is expected to decide soon on whether or not to extend martial law in Mindanao, as he is scheduled to receive the military’s recommendation this week.
Presidential Spokesman Harry L. Roque Jr. said Malacañang has received word from the military it is ready to submit its recommendation this week, as martial law in the southern island is set to lapse on December 31.
“The Armed Forces of the Philippines [AFP] is mindful that the extension of martial-law implementation ends on December 31,” Roque said.
“It is currently in the process of assessment and deliberation as to the recommendation. The AFP is looking at the possibility of submitting its recommendation to the President and Commander in Chief through the Department of National Defense by the first week of December,” he added.
The President in May placed the whole of Mindanao under military rule following the eruption of violence in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur. Daesh-inspired Maute Group terrorists, led by Isnilon Hapilon, a self-styled Islamic State leader in Southeast Asia, laid siege on the Islamic town in an attempt to establish a caliphate in the Philippines.
Fighting between government troops and terrorists lasted for almost five months, and it was only in October when Marawi City was liberated from the clutches of extremism. The conflict left more than 1,000 people dead and approximately 300,000 displaced.
Roque said Duterte will also look into the recommendation of Chairman Eduardo D. del Rosario of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council to implement military rule only in parts of Mindanao, where there remain threats of terrorism, such as in the Lanao provinces.
Del Rosario, as the housing czar, is in charge of the rehabilitation of Marawi City.
“I’m sure the President will consider that recommendation of General del Rosario. After all, he is in charge of rebuilding Marawi,” Roque said.
Opposition senators have urged the President to no longer extend martial law in Mindanao, saying the government should instead focus on rehabilitating Marawi City. They said any remaining threat on peace and order can now be entrusted to the police.