Philippine military spokesman confirms military recommends martial law extension

MANILA, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) -- A spokesman for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) confirmed on Friday that the military has recommended an extension of martial rule in the entire southern Philippine Mindanao region.

However, Maj. Gen. Restituto Padilla told a news briefing that he was not privy to the length of extension the AFP recommended.

Padilla stressed the need to put "Mindanao area" under martial rule, saying Islamist extremists continue to recruit members and the there is increasing violence committed by the communist rebels.

"We need the core or martial law to address these threats," Padilla said.

The Philippine National Police has earlier confirmed that it has recommended the extension of martial law for another year.

A military officer, who declined to be named, said on Thursday that the AFP has recommended to President Rodrigo Duterte to extend martial law for another year.

Duterte declared a 60-day martial law in the entire Mindanao to quell the pro-Islamic State militants that laid siege to Marawi City in May.

Duterte's declaration of martial law in Mindanao would expire on Dec. 31, after Congress approved its extension in July. Enditem