THE 19th Davao City Council has approved a resolution for the lifting of the martial law implementation in Davao City.

On Tuesday, August 6, committee of peace and public safety chair Councilor Mabel Acosta, filed the resolution under suspended rules requesting President Rodrigo Duterte to exempt the city from the implementation.

In her speech, Acosta said the city may have gained “economic progress” two years since the city was included in the jurisdiction of the martial law implementation but it had also affected the city’s engagement in business, trade and investment.

Previously, Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio expressed her desire to ask President Duterte, her father, to exempt Davao City from martial law after having a series of dialogue between her and some business officials and foreign delegates.

Last July 31, Davao City Peace and Order Council (CPOC) passed a resolution backing the Mayor’s proposal to lift martial law in Davao City.

According to Acosta, Duterte-Carpio requested the security forces to have a thorough assessment of the city’s situation.

“(They) support the exemption provided all present security forces are in place, and security measures and initiatives being implemented in the city shall still be operational to avoid giving terrorist groups an opportunity to stage another attack in any parts of Davao City,” Acosta said during the regular session at the Sangguniang Panlungsod.

She also said representatives from the local executive had a dialogue with President Duterte, on Friday, August 2, during a land-title distribution ceremony at the Almendras Gym.

“Kasi bago pa napunta sa City Council, nadiscuss na ‘yon sa mga secretaries, at ng executive office ng Davao,” Acosta said adding the City Council’s resolution will unify the desire between the executive and the legislative.

Although she said that it would be better if the lifting will be issued in the middle of August, wherein most of the Kadayawan festival event highlights will be conducted, she said it would still depend upon the President’s decision.

Meanwhile, she said the city will forward the resolution to the Office of the President.

In a previous report, the City Tourism and Operations Office (CTOO) head Generose Tecson said that the Martial Law lifting will help in attracting more tourists and investors.

Different militant groups had also called on for its lifting, citing grave threats and abuses, especially in the hinterlands.