Esperon, Lorenzana brief senators on martial law in Mindanao

National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. and Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana arrived at the Senate on Monday afternoon to brief lawmakers on President Rodrigo Duterte’s martial law declaration in Mindanao.

The senators sought the briefing from security officials after the receipt of the President’s report on martial law, wherein he said that the attacks of the ISIS-inspired Maute group in Marawi City was a prelude to a takeover of the entirety of Mindanao.

DND chief Lorenzana is at the Senate to brief senators on the declaration of martial law in Mindanao pic.twitter.com/CbKbO6jT83

— Kaecee Alvarez (@kaeceealvarez) May 29, 2017

Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III said the Senate could come out with a resolution in relation to Duterte’s Proclamation No. 216 declaring martial law.

“Fact-finding ito for additional information. Whatever idea comes out of the briefing can be written in the form of resolution to be tackled tomorrow (Tuesday),” Pimentel said.

Esperon and Lorenzana were both tight-lipped and refused to grant any media interviews before the closed-door executive session. — Kathrina Charmaine Alvarez/RSJ, GMA News