Lorenzana pushes for amendments to 'toothless' Human Security Act

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Friday said he would recommend the lifting of martial law in Mindanao if amendments to the existing Human Security Act are passed by Congress.

"Because...the current security act is currently unhelpful to our enforcement agencies. Walang ngipin. It's a toothless Human Security Act," Lorenzana said in an interview on ANC.

"We need [to be] a little bit more stringent so that the enforcement agencies like the police or even the military are not afraid to enforce the law," he added.

Mindanao has been under martial law since May 23, 2017 when members of the ISIS-inspired Maute group attacked Marawi City, sparking a months-long armed conflict.

Lorenzana said he has pushed for a tougher Human Security Law during a previous Senate hearing.

"I told him (senator) if they can pass an amended Human Security Law, immediately I'm going to recommend the lifting of martial law," he said. —Margaret Claire Layug/KBK, GMA News