Martial law in Mindanao stays despite death of Maute leaders: DND

FILE PHOTO: Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana (Photo By Department of Defense (Philippines), CC BY-SA 4.0)

MANILA — The Department of National Defense (DND) on Monday said martial law would remain in effect in Mindanao despite the death of top terrorist leaders Isnilon Hapilon and Omar Maute in Marawi City.

“No, we are not talking about lifting martial law yet, tingnan pa natin, we are only looking in the immediate aftermath of the killing of these two leaders, we may, sabi ko nga we may be lifting, I mean announcing the cessation of hostilities within this week and then after that we will find out,” Lorenzana told reporters during the press conference.

President Rodrigo Duterte issued Proclamation No. 216 on May 23 declaring martial law and suspending the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus in the whole of Mindanao. This was a result of the attack of the Maute groupin Marawi City, which is still ongoing and is subject to military operations.

The DND chief said they had yet to assess the situation in order for them to determine whether they can recommend the lifting of martial law to President Rodrigo Duterte.

“We will find out, we will assess the entire Mindanao if there is a need to recommend to the President the lifting of martial law,” he noted.

When asked on the possible retaliation of Maute remnants, Lorenzana said “We are prepared, our troops are prepared, alam naman natin that it is the modus operandi of the enemy to make, to create diversion dito, diversion dyan, retaliation din, so our troops are prepared.”

As of Monday, the number of slain Maute terrorists are placed at 822 along with 162 troops killed-in-action. (PNA)