Lorenzana: Rebellion still active elsewhere in Mindanao

MANILA, Philippines — Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Wednesday said rebellion has continued in Mindanao even if Marawi in Lanao del Sur has been liberated.

At the joint session of Congress to discuss the extension of martial law in Mindanao, Lorenzana said local terror groups are actively recruiting Muslim youth in the region.

“That is what we are saying, rebellion has not stopped, it just moved to another place,” Lorenzana said in defense of President Rodrigo Duterte’s request to extend martial law in Mindanao until December 2018.

“The situation in Marawi has substantially changed from the time we are fighting [Islamic State of Iraq and Syria]-inspired Maute. So now there is post-conflict assessment conducted as [the] situation developed,” he said.

The Defense chief made the statement after Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon questioned the need for an extension since Duterte declared Marawi liberated from terrorists in October.

Duterte placed the whole of Mindanao under martial law on May 23. He said the declaration, made through Proclamation 216, was meant to neutralize the local terror group and contain violence in the region.

The president also suspended the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus in the region.

Last July, the 17th Congress granted Duterte’s request for an extension of martial law in Mindanao until yearend.

He is calling for another extension citing continued threats in the region.