2 more weeks needed to determine ML extension — Lorenzana

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana. (PNA photo)

MANILA — Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said they need a couple more weeks to determine whether they would recommend an extension of the implementation of Martial Law in Mindanao.

He made this statement during the sidelines of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council meeting at the AFP Commissioned Officers’ Club in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City Tuesday.

“We will know in a couple of weeks time, after that we will make our recommendations (as) we are still studying the situation in Marawi, Lanao Del Sur and the rest of Mindanao,” Lorenzana said in Filipino.

President Rodrigo Duterte placed Mindanao under Martial Law in wake of the Maute Group attacks in Marawi City last May 23.

Under the 1987 Constitution, Martial Law declaration in the Philippines is only good for two months unless extended by Congress.

Lorenzana also refused to comment on whether fighting in Marawi City before Duterte’s first State-of-the-Nation-Address (SONA) this coming July 24.

“We would like that to happen but we are leaving it to the ground commanders to do their pace, we are not micromanaging the events there, ” the DND chief stressed.

As of Monday, Maute Group terrorists killed in the seven-week long fighting has reached the 337 mark with government forces sustained 85 dead and 44 civilians executed.

Civilians rescued by military troops in Marawi City are now placed at 1,717 with weapons captured at 410. (Priam F. Nepomuceno/Gilbert Villaruz & Jayvee H. Castro