Eastern Mindanao Command chief supports lifting of martial law in Davao City

A regional military commanding general on Wednesday said he supports lifting martial law in Davao City, but added that it is still up to higher authorities to decide on the matter.

"We support 'yung whatever the local chief executive wants and we presented already 'yung improvement ng security sa Davao City so it's their resolution but we presented 'yung improvement ng security situation which pwede namang ilift but of course it's up to the ano... political decision 'yan eh," said Lieutenant General Filemon Santos, chief of the Armed Forces Eastern Mindanao Command which is based in Davao City.

Santos said the peace and order situation in Davao city is presently secured: "We assured that the security in Davao City is well-established as of now."

Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte earlier proposed the exemption of the area under her jurisdiction from the Mindanao-wide martial law.

This was agreed upon by National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. saying that Davao City is already a "hardened area."

But Esperon said he would recommend the extension of martial law in Mindanao for another year due to continued rebellion in the region.

On Tuesday, the Davao City Council passed a resolution asking President Rodrigo Duterte to lift martial law in the Chief Executive's hometown.

Mindanao has been placed under martial law since May 2017 following the attack of ISIS-inspired Maute group in Marawi City.

It was initially valid only for 60 days, but Duterte requested to extend it thrice.

Martial law is due to end on December 31, 2019. — Anna Felicia Bajo/RSJ, GMA News