
By Gabriela Baron
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. lifted on Thursday, July 27, Proclamation No. 55 which declared the state of national emergency on account of lawlessness violence in Mindanao.
Marcos cited the “significant improvement” of the peace and order situation in Mindanao.
Proclamation No. 298, signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on July 25, stated that conditions then prevailing for which Proclamation No. 55 was issued in 2016 have been “significantly mitigated or reduced.”
“Through successful focused military and law enforcement operations and programs that promote sustainable and inclusive peace, the government has made significant gains in improving and restoring peace and order in the region,” the proclamation read.
“The lifting of Proclamation No. 55 (s. 2016) will boost economic activity and hasten the recovery of the local economy,” it further read.
Proclamation No. 55 was issued on Sept. 4, 2016 following the lawless violence perpetrated by private armies, local warlords, bandits, criminal syndicates, terrorist groups, and religious extremists. -ag