AFP recommends extension of Mindanao martial law

The Armed Forces of the Philippines has recommended to President Rodrigo Duterte to extend the imposition of martial law in Mindanao.

At the Bangon Marawi briefing on Friday, military spokesperson Major General Restituto Padilla Jr. said the extension would apply to the entire Mindanao region.

But he said he was not privy to the length of extension the AFP recommended.

"As far as I am concerned, there is a recommendation to similarly support the recommendation of the Philippine National Police but I am not privy to the whole report and I am not at liberty to discuss whatever it is that has been placed in the report until such time that the decision has been made," he said.

"It is for the Mindanao area," he added.

Padilla, moreover, cited terrorist recruitment and increasing violence from the communist rebels as the basis of the AFP's recommendation.

"We need the cover of martial law to address these threats," he said.

The Philippine National Police, meanwhile, earlier confirmed that it recommended to extend martial law in Mindanao for another year.

But Padilla made it clear that the recommendation of the AFP would be "separate and different" from the PNP proposal.

Duterte's declaration of martial law in Mindanao would expire on December 31, after Congress approved its extension in July.

The President declared martial law in Mindanao on May 23 to quell the ISIS-inspired Maute group after it attacked Marawi City. — RSJ, GMA News