Dela Rosa sees no reason to extend martial law in Mindanao

FILE: Philippine National Police chief Director General Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa sees no more reason to extend again martial law in Mindanao. (Photo: Philippine National Police/Facebook)

MANILA — Philippine National Police chief Director General Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa sees no more reason to extend again martial law in Mindanao.

In a press conference in Camp Crame on Monday, Dela Rosa said now that the war in Marawi is over, the priority of the PNP is the reconstruction of the Marawi police station which was occupied and burned by Maute terrorists.

He added that it is important for the morale of the PNP to build the soonest possible time the PNP Marawi station because it is the symbol of their authority in the city.

Likewise, Dela Rosa ordered Senior Superintendent Rolando Anduyan, the head of the PNP Task Force Marawi, to lead the participation of the PNP in the reconstruction and rehabilitation of Marawi City.

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte declared martial law in Mindanao on May 23, 2017 after the ISIS-inspired Maute terrorist group led by brothers Omar and Abdullah Maute and Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) leader and alleged “emir” Isnilon Hapilon took siege of Marawi City.

After 60 days, martial law in Mindanao was extended until the end of the year.

Dela Rosa said that it is just proper to have martial law in Mindanao until Dec. 30, 2017 with the end of war in Marawi City.