Duterte won’t extend Mindanao martial law beyond Dec. 31 —Palace

President Rodrigo Duterte will not extend martial law in Mindanao upon its expiration on December 31, Malacañang said Tuesday.

Duterte’s spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the President made the decision following the assessment of his security and defense advisers of the “weakening of the terrorist and extremist rebellion, a result of the capture or neutralization of their leaders, as well as the decrease in the crime index, among the factors considered.”

The President held a joint command conference with military and police officials on Monday in Malacañang.

Panelo said the Palace is confident on the capability of the security forces in maintaining the peace and security of Mindanao without extending martial law which has been in place since 2017.

“The people of Mindanao are assured that any incipient major threat in the region would be nipped in the bud,” Panelo said.

The Palace official added that the decision of the President showed how he responds to the situation on the ground despite the ”suppositions of the vocal minority on the proclamation of martial law in Mindanao.”

Duterte declared martial law in May 2017 in Mindanao to quell extremist groups accused of plotting a caliphate for international terror group ISIS through the Marawi siege.

Initially valid for only 60 days, Congress, upon the request of the President, approved the extension of martial law in the region thrice. — MDM, GMA News