No martial law despite increase in COVID-19 cases —Lorenzana

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Thursday denied the rumors circulating on social media that martial law will be implemented to address the surge of new COVID-19 cases in the country.

According to Lorenzana, there is no compelling reason to declare martial law.

“Not true. Fake news. Definitely out of the picture. There is no compelling reason to declare martial law,” he said.

Lorenzana, who also chairs the National Task Force Against COVID-19, said the 17,220 new infections recorded Thursday was lower compared to the over 26,000 record in 2021.

He added that despite being more transmissible, the Omicron coronavirus variant, which is believed to be behind the spike in COVID-19 cases, is less virulent than the Delta variant.

Asked about implementing stricter restrictions in the National Capital Region, Lorenzana said the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases is still evaluating the matter.

“But not total lockdown,” he said.

On Thursday, the Philippines recorded 17,220 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the nationwide COVID-19 tally to 2,888,917.

Based on the Department of Health (DOH)’s latest bulletin, the new cases brought the country's active case count to 56,561. —Joviland Rita/KBK, GMA News