Philippines says lifting martial law in south

The Philippines will lift martial law imposed in the southern province of Maguindanao on Saturday night, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said.

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The Philippines will lift martial law imposed in the southern province of Maguindanao on Saturday night, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said.

Martial law was imposed on Dec. 4 after a massacre in which 57 people were killed.

Eduardo said the decision was taken after a cabinet recommendation. He said the martial law regulations would cease to be in force at 9 p.m. (1300 GMT), but about 4,000 soldiers would remain in the province to maintain law and order.

A state of emergency remains in force in Maguindanao.