PNP recommends to Duterte extension of martial law in Mindanao

Philippine National Police chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa on Monday said they recommended to President Rodrigo Duterte the extension of martial law in Mindanao.

"Meron kaming position paper na sinubmit last Friday expressing our stand on [the] extension ng martial law," Dela Rosa said during a press conference after the PNP flag raising ceremony.

PNP chief Dela Rosa says they recommended to PDuterte extension of martial law in Mindanao @gmanewsbreaking pic.twitter.com/vXmLpzbUpx

— amitalegaspi (@amitalegaspi) July 17, 2017

He however said they did not specify any period or duration for how long martial law should be extended.

"Pero hindi kami naglagay ng period up to when martial law in Mindanao [should last]. The same ang scope [na ni-recommend namin]," he said.

He said they made the recommendation because some of the supporters of local terror group Maute are still at-large.

"'Yung identified na narcopoliticians who we believe to be supporting the cause of Maute group are still at large. We still have to account them," he said.

He also cited as among the reasons for the proposed extension the number of loose firearms in Mindanao, particularly in Marawi City and the entire Lanao del Sur.

“Saka ‘yung isa pang mabigat na problema na nilagay namin sa aming position paper is ‘yung paglipana ng loose firearms dyan sa Mindanao, particularly sa Marawi at Lanao del Sur.  So we have to account the loose firearms muna bago natin siguro pwedeng i-lift ang martial law,” he said.

Duterte placed Mindanao under martial law on May 23 after the ISIS-inspired Maute Group attacked some areas of Marawi City.

The declaration is effective for 60 days.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Sunday said the Department of National Defense submitted on July 13 its recommendation regarding the extension of martial law.

Dele Rosa, meanwhile, said that he was not privy to the Armed Forces of the Philippines' and Lorenzana's recommendations on the implementation of martial law in Mindanao.

“We are confined on the law enforcement perspective, yung sa kanila naman from the military perspective. So i-consolidate ‘yan ng Office of the President at ‘yan ang magiging ground ni Presidente for the expansion of martial law in Mindanao,” he said.

He also said that he does not know when the President will announce his decision.

“Hindi ko alam [kung kailan ia-announce]. Baka earlier pa kung desisyunan niya. Basta kami we submitted our position paper already,” he said. —KG/KVD/ALG, GMA News