Manila: Officials are looking at recommending extension of martial law in Mindanao by another year as threats persist in the southern main island nearly 20 months after it was in effect.

According to Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, the menace from religious extremists and other terror groups in Mindanao remain, particularly from the Maute Daesh-influenced and Abu Sayyaf, as well as from the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters as well as the communist New Peoples’ Army.

It may be recalled that on May 23, 2017, President Rodrigo Duterte placed the entire Mindanao Island under martial law after combined forces of the Maute group and the Abu Sayyaf, joined by foreign volunteers, went on a rampage in Marawi City in Central Mindanao region’s Lanao del Sur.

Duterte justified that such a declaration was necessary in order to prevent radical Islam brought in by the Maute and Abu Sayyaf from spreading to other parts of the country.

The fighting killed more than a thousand extremists and more than a hundred government forces as well as 42 civilians. It left much of Marawi City in ruins and rehabilitation and rebuilding continues to be hampered by the presence of unexploded bombs.

Lorenzana said National Police Director General Oscar Albayalde and Armed Forces Chief Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr recommended an extension of the martial law.

The extension, if granted by Congress, would be the third.

Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said Congress may likely approve another one year extension of martial law in Mindanao.

“Given the support for the martial law in Mindanao even by the Catholic bishop and the citizens there, the President may be persuaded to approve the recommendation,” Panelo said.

While it is the President that decides on declaring martial law, it is the Senate and the House that has the say on extending it.

Senator Aquilino Pimentel said the Senate is keeping an “open mind” on the matter but Senator Franklin Drilon said a “second extension of martial law is unconstitutional.”

“There is no basis for a second extension of martial law as there was no ground that necessitated the first extension,” he added.

Majority Leader Rolando Andaya, Jr. for his part, said: “If the President will ask for it, then chances are it shall be given,” but pointed out that concurrence will be expedited if the military and the police will renew their commitment to respect the constitutional rights of every individual in the territory covered by the declaration.

“The inputs and views of the congressmen from Mindanao, who represent the people directly affected, will carry much weight during the deliberations,” said Andaya.