(Eagle News) — The Palace on Tuesday, Dec. 10, said President Rodrigo Duterte will no longer extend martial law in Mindanao.
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo made the announcement days before martial law in the island group was set to lapse, or on Dec. 31.
According to Panelo, the President’s decision was based on the assessment defense advisers.
Earlier, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said he had recommended a non-extension of martial law there, citing the improved situation since it was declared in 2017.
Martial law was declared after Maute terrorists overran Marawi in May of that year, supposedly in a bid to establish an Islamic caliphate in Southeast Asia.
