Military supports lifting martial law in Davao City

August 7, 2019

Onboard USS Ronald Reagan -- The Eastern Mindanao Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) expressed support to lift martial law in Davao City.

"We support whatever the local chief executive wants and we presented already the improvement of security in Davao City so its their resolution but we presented the improvement of the security situation which it can be lifted but of coruse its up to them, that is a political decision," said Lt. Gen. Filemon Santos, Eastern Mindanao Command chief, said Wednesday.

"The area of Eastmincom( has) a very improved security situation. As of now further evaluation ( on) other areas but Davao City... we could lift martial law but of course it's up to the perspective of higher level intelligence assessment," he added.

Santos expressed his support after the Davao City council passed a resolution asking President Rodrigo Duterte to lift martial law in his hometown.

The government imposed martial law in Mindanao in 2017 following an attack by ISIS-linked militants in Marawi City. Martial law has been extended even after Marawi was declared liberated by the government. It ends on December 31, 2019.

Santos said the security situation in Davao City is "well established."

"We support and we are assured that the security in Davao City is well, well  well established as of now," he said.

Santos also assured if martial law in the city will be lifted, the military will further enhance security in Davao.

"Even if the martial law will be lifted we will enhance more our security preparations from terrorism," he said.

Santos said the military is working hard to prevent possible spillover of terrorism in the City.

"Terrorism threat there might be some spillover... which we are preventing," he said. Robina Asido/DMS