ZAMBOANGA City Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar has announced that she supports the non-extension of martial law once it lapses on December 31, 2019.
Salazar issued the statement after National Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana recommended to President Rodrigo Duterte not to extend the martial law in Mindanao.
Lorenzana, in his recommendation submitted to Malacañang, said the prevailing security conditions in Mindanao as well as those of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi have greatly improved since the defeat of the Maute fighters in October 2017.
However, Salazar wanted that the full security be maintained with two battalions of soldiers to help the local police secure the city and its residents once martial law is lifted to prevent untoward atrocity.
Two battalions consisting of the Marine Battalion Landing Team-11 (MBLT-11) and Army’s 74th Infantry Battalion were assigned with the Joint Task Force Zamboanga, which were tasked to secure the city alongside with the police.
Salazar, who chairs the Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC), shared the views of Lorenzana on lifting martial law due to its effect on the economy in Mindanao.
President Duterte placed entire Mindanao under martial law when the Maute group attacked Marawi City on May 23, 2017. In December 2018, it was extended for another year until December 31, 2019. (SunStar Zamboanga)