Lorenzana to recommend lifting of martial law in Mindanao if anti-terror act is enacted

February 4, 2019

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana will recommend the lifting of martial law in Mindanao if the anti-terrorism act will be enacted within the first half of this year.

“The anti-terrorism act which, when enacted, would no longer necessitate the proclamation of martial law and suspension of habeas corpus,” Lorenzana said during his speech at the National Defense College of the Philippines on Monday.

“This is the main argument that we presented to the Senate when we were there to defend martial law,” he noted.

“I told them, if they can pass it within half of this year, then I can recommend the cessation of martial law in Mindanao by July first,” he added.

It can be recalled lawmakers from the Makabayan bloc are opposing the passage of the bill as it is allegedly designed to “normalize” martial law in the country.

The act that seeks to amend parts of Human Security Act or the RA 9372 is a consolidation of two measures including House Bill no. 5507 and 7141.

Martial law in Mindanao was extended for the third time until the of 2019 after it was approved by a joint session of Congress in December 2018.

Because of the third extension, Mindanao would be under martial law for almost two years since terrorists attacked the city of Marawi on May 23, 2017. Robina Asido/DMS