MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte is leaving it up to security officials to assess whether to lift martial law in Mindanao.
“I will leave it to the military and the police to make the recommendation. Martial law is a military thing and it’s their assessment or evaluation of the situation,” the President told a press conference on Tuesday night.
“If the defense secretary says it’s no longer needed, I’ll wait for the statement of the military and the police. Then I will decide,” he said.
Duterte placed Mindanao under martial law after local extremists aligned with the Islamic State attacked Marawi on May 23, 2017.
Martial law had since been extended thrice. The last extension will expire on Dec. 31.
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and Philippine National Police (PNP) officials had earlier said they do not see the need for another extension, noting that security forces are in control in Mindanao.
The PNP said ”marked stability” in the south is an indication that martial law could be lifted.