MARTIAL law in Mindanao will only be lifted after a complete assessment and validation by the security sector and local governments, said the Department of National Defense (DND).

In a statement, DND spokesperson Arsenio Andolong said there is a regular consultation with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) for the assessment of security situation in the country's south.

“The lifting of martial law in Mindanao is constantly being evaluated by the Defense department and there are regular consultations with the AFP and PNP regarding this,” he said.

“In fact, we would like to lift martial law in Mindanao as soon as possible but this should only be done after a complete assessment and validation by the security sector and local governments before we recommend it to the President,” he added.

Andolong made the statement after Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio said she wanted her father, President Rodrigo Duterte, to lift martial law in Davao City as they have a “relatively stable peace” there.

In order to make it happen, Duterte-Carpio said they will write a letter to the AFP, particularly its concerned units, for a favorable endorsement for the lifting of the martial rule in Davao City and Island Garden City of Samal.

"Thereafter, if we get the favorable recommendations, we transmit a City Council resolution to the OP (Office of the President)," said the mayor.

On February, DND Secretary and martial law administrator Delfin Lorenzana said he would recommend to the Supreme Court the lifting of martial law by July 1, if amendments to the existing Human Security Act were passed by the legislature. It did not happen, however. (SunStar Phiilippines)