Martial law extension an option: DND chief

MANILA — Department of National Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said it is early to make a recommendation on whether or not to extend martial law in Mindanao, following the deadly blast that killed two people and wounded several others in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat.

“Of course, it is an option,” he said in a message to reporters Wednesday. “Bit too early in the day to make (any) recommendation. We’ll see what happens in the next several months,” he added.

The blast happened Tuesday evening, when an improvised explosive device went off in front of J and H Marketing along the national highway in Barangay Kalawag 3 in Isulan.

Earlier, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea raised the possibility of extending Martial Law in Mindanao in the wake of the incident, calling it an ominous development.

Martial law in Mindanao was declared on May 23, 2017 following attacks launched by the Maute Group in Marawi City. It was extended by Congress at the President’s request and will end on Dec. 31, 2018. (Priam Nepomuceno/PNA)

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