THERE have been no changes to security measures put in place after martial law in Mindanao ended last December 31, 2019, according to an official of the Police Regional Office (PRO)-Northern Mindanao.

PRO-Northern Mindanao spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mardy Hortillosa said they will continue to implement the security measures which were implemented during the two-year military rule in the island.

“Our regional director Police Brigadier General Rolando Anduyan will even strengthen the security measures if our resources can afford it,” Hortillosa said.

Since its implementation on May 23, 2017, the martial law has been extended four times from July 2017, December 2017 and again on December 2018.

On New Year’s Eve, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said the country’s security officials are confident they can maintain the current peace and order in Mindanao and that an attack similar in scale to Marawi cannot be waged by the remnants of the Mautes or by any other terrorist groups in the future.

He, however, added the present number of troops will remain as is wherever they are and will continue to collaborate with local government units to sustain peace and stability.

Meanwhile, PRO-Caraga regional director Brigadier General Joselito Esquivel Jr. ordered to intensify the police operations in the region, two days after martial law expired.

Esquivel issued a directive to lower units to step up the conduct of special police operations, including checkpoints and other crime prevention activities in the region.