ALMOST a month before the martial law in Mindanao will expire on December 31, the Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) has recommended its lifting in its area of responsibility due to improved security condition.
Eastmincom Public Information Office (PIO) chief Lieutenant Colonel Ezra Balagtey said Eastmincom Commander Lieutenant General Felimon Santos Jr. submitted last week to the general headquarters their position on the possible extension of martial law in Mindanao.
Balagtey said they were asked by the national headquarters for their security assessment and recommendation.
Eastmincom, earlier, backed the request of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio to lift martial law in Davao City.
Since 2017, Mindanao has been placed under martial law after members of the Maute terrorist group attacked Marawi City.
"According to General Santos during the press briefing don sa maritime training, he said that he already submitted the recommendation to GHQ (general headquarters) recommending the lifting of martial law. It means na lifting, during the time na mag end na by December 31, hindi na siya i-extend," Balagtey said.
For his part, Police Regional Office (PRO)-Davao Director Police Brigadier General Filmore Escobal said the peace condition in Davao region is already prepared should the lifting will be pushed.
He said he will adhere to the decision of the National Government.
"The peace and order condition that will support the lifting of martial law in PRO 11 is now present. However, we will leave it to the decision-makers from the National Government to further assess the situation because they see the bigger picture of the security condition in the whole of Mindanao," Escobal said.
He also assured the public that security measures are in place whether martial will be lifted or not.
"Rest assured that the PNP will continue to demonstrate and impose government resolution in combating insurgencies and terrorism through our crime prevention strategy, anti-criminality campaign, intelligence operations, and strong community relations and monitoring systems," Escobal said.