PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. lifted on Thursday, July 27, 2023, the state of national emergency declaration on account of lawless violence in Mindanao.
Marcos, through Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, issued Proclamation 28 on July 25, 2023, noting that the peace and order situation in the region has significantly improved.
"Through successful focused military and law enforcement operations and programs that promote sustainable and inclusive peace, the government has made significant gains in improving and restoring peace and order in the region," the proclamation stated.
"The lifting of Proclamation No. 55 (s. 2016) will boost economic activity and hasten the recovery of the local economy," it added.
Proclamation 55 was issued by former President Rodrigo Duterte on September 4, 2016 in view of the lawless violence perpetrated by private armies and local warlords, bandits, criminal syndicates, terrorist groups and religious extremists across the island groups.
It came after the bombing in Davao City, which resulted in the killing of 14 people, and left 70 injured. (SunStar Philippines)