No formal recommendation yet for another Mindanao martial law extension —Lorenzana

The Department of Defense (DND) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) have yet to formally recommend to President Rodrigo Duterte another extension of the martial law declaration in Mindanao.

Interviewed on Thursday, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said he has yet to receive a formal request for the extension from AFP chief Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr.

"I'll have to see the reason that the AFP will present to extend or not to extend [the martial law in Mindanao]," said Lorenzana.

Martial law in Mindanao — declared on May 27 last year and extended two times already — is set to end on December 31, 2018. The region was placed under martial rule following the attack of the ISIS-inspired Maute group on Marawi City, sparking a five-month armed conflict.

Galvez, in recent interviews, has expressed preference for another extension, citing the plebiscite that will ratify the Bangsamoro Organic Law in January and the midterm elections in May.

Still, Galvez said they would conduct assessment first before making a formal recommendation.

Military generals in Mindanao, meanwhile, said the assessment is still ongoing.

"We are still conducting assessment and consultation," said Lt. Gen. Benjamin Madrigal, commander of the Davao City-based Eastern Mindanao Command, adding results may be known before December.

Lt. Gen. Arnel Dela Vega, commander of the Zamboanga City-based Western Mindanao Command, for his part, said said the assessment will come up "in due time." —KBK, GMA News