AFP vows to sustain its gains in Mindanao after over 2 years of martial law

Following President Rodrigo Duterte's decision to no longer extend martial law in Mindanao, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Tuesday vowed to continue working with local officials and the residents in the region to sustain the gains brought by military rule in the area for more than two years.

"We will continue to collaborate with local chief executives and the people in the communities in the conduct of our current activities to sustain these gains brought about by martial law," AFP spokesman Brigadier General Edgard Arevalo said in a statement.

"The AFP will pursue our advocacy towards the amendment of the Human Security Act into an Anti-Terrorism Law that will not be too restrictive to security forces but has more teeth to prevent or counter terrorism," he added.

According to presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo, Duterte decided to no longer extend martial law in the southern portion of the Philippines following the assessment of his security forces and defense advisers.

Arevalo underscored that there was already an improved security climate in Mindanao as well as the continued decline of the Daesh-inspired local terrorist groups.

The military official also said that lifting martial law in Mindanao will promote an environment that is more conducive to the increase of trade and commerce in Mindanao.

In May 2017, Duterte placed the entire Mindanao region under martial law following the attack of the ISIS-inspired Maute group in Marawi City.

Initially valid for only 60 days, martial law in Mindanao was extended three times by Congress upon the request of the President. — BM, GMA News