MANILA – The Executive Committee of the National Security Council (EC-NSC) are set to review whether there is still a need to extend the martial law declaration in the entire island of Mindanao.
Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said that several factors have to be considered before saying if there is need for an extension on martial rule, which will expire on Dec. 31, 2018.
“Factors that were initially considered by the committee were the outlook of our brothers and sisters in Mindanao, an overwhelming majority of whom support martial law in view of the present situation they are in the facilitation it will bring in rehabilitating Marawi and regaining normalcy in Mindanao, and indispensable constitutional and legal factors,” Panelo said.
“The President is very much involved in various matters concerning our country but considers national security as one of the most vital concerns that must always be overseen by the government,” he added.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has recently said that it is practical to extend the martial law declaration in Mindanao due to the upcoming plebiscite and midterm elections next year.
President Rodrigo Duterte placed the entire island of Mindanao under martial law on May 23, 2017, the same day the ISIS-inspired Maute terrorist group began its siege on Marawi City.
Both houses of Congress has jointly extended the martial law twice, with the last set to expire at the end of the year, since terrorist threats are still prevalent in the entire region./PN
