Lorenzana, who is also martial law administrator, will head a government task force for the rehabilitation of Marawi City.
MANILA, Philippines — The Defense department is optimistic that the Supreme Court will rule in favor of President Rodrigo Duterte’s move to declare martial law in Mindanao.
Previous reports said the high court would decide on petitions challenging the legality of the martial law declaration on Tuesday.
READ: Supreme Court faces 'complex' job over martial law
Duterte imposed martial law on the entire island of Mindanao last May 23 after Islamic State-linked terrorists from the Maute group laid siege in Marawi City and held more than a dozen civilians hostage.
Members of the opposition and some civil society groups have questioned his declaration before the Supreme Court, saying there is no sufficient factual basis to impose military rule in Mindanao.
READ: Vast scope of Duterte's martial law powers alarms petitioners
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana believes the Supreme Court would affirm the legality of the martial law declaration.
“I, for one, is very confident that the Supreme Court will rule on the legality of the martial law,” Lorenzana told reporters in Malacañang Monday.
“I look forward to seeing that they will say that (it) is legal for the president to declare martial law in the first place,” he added.
READ: DND, AFP chiefs face Supreme Court on martial law
Lorenzana maintained that the Duterte administration has factual basis to implement military rule, which officials said, was meant to protect civilians from terrorist threats.
“I believe we have sufficiently or competently answered all the questions on the basis of martial law,” the defense chief said.
Under the Constitution, the president may place the country or parts of it under martial law for not more than 60 days. Duterte has said he would ask Congress to extend the martial law in Mindanao if security forces think it is necessary to do so.
READ: Calida defends Duterte: Defense advice not required to declare martial law
Security officials have been claiming that the Maute group is on the brink of defeat but could not say when they would end their operations in Marawi.
READ: Gov't hopes to end Marawi siege before Duterte's SONA
Lorenzana said security forces have been controlling the movement of people in the strife-torn city in the last two weeks. He said all non-government organizations seeking to provide relief to affected residents have to secure clearance from the military before entering Marawi.
Lorenzana, who is also martial law administrator, will head a government task force for the rehabilitation of Marawi City.
MANILA, Philippines — The Defense department is optimistic that the Supreme Court will rule in favor of President Rodrigo Duterte’s move to declare martial law in Mindanao.
Previous reports said the high court would decide on petitions challenging the legality of the martial law declaration on Tuesday.
READ: Supreme Court faces 'complex' job over martial law
Duterte imposed martial law on the entire island of Mindanao last May 23 after Islamic State-linked terrorists from the Maute group laid siege in Marawi City and held more than a dozen civilians hostage.
Members of the opposition and some civil society groups have questioned his declaration before the Supreme Court, saying there is no sufficient factual basis to impose military rule in Mindanao.
READ: Vast scope of Duterte's martial law powers alarms petitioners
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana believes the Supreme Court would affirm the legality of the martial law declaration.
“I, for one, is very confident that the Supreme Court will rule on the legality of the martial law,” Lorenzana told reporters in Malacañang Monday.
“I look forward to seeing that they will say that (it) is legal for the president to declare martial law in the first place,” he added.
READ: DND, AFP chiefs face Supreme Court on martial law
Lorenzana maintained that the Duterte administration has factual basis to implement military rule, which officials said, was meant to protect civilians from terrorist threats.
“I believe we have sufficiently or competently answered all the questions on the basis of martial law,” the defense chief said.
Under the Constitution, the president may place the country or parts of it under martial law for not more than 60 days. Duterte has said he would ask Congress to extend the martial law in Mindanao if security forces think it is necessary to do so.
READ: Calida defends Duterte: Defense advice not required to declare martial law
Security officials have been claiming that the Maute group is on the brink of defeat but could not say when they would end their operations in Marawi.
READ: Gov't hopes to end Marawi siege before Duterte's SONA
Lorenzana said security forces have been controlling the movement of people in the strife-torn city in the last two weeks. He said all non-government organizations seeking to provide relief to affected residents have to secure clearance from the military before entering Marawi.
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