By Jong Cadion
ZAMBOANGA
CITY (July 22, 2017) - The Commander-in-Chief
visited the battle-stricken City of Marawi to personally assess the situation
on the ground and boost the morale of the troops Thursday (July 20), military
official said.
In his
opening message, the President stressed that it is his intention to visit the
troops while the fighting is still on-going, to make the soldiers and policemen
feel that he is one with them and he is giving his full support to all of
uniformed forces.
“I have to
be here to visit you. Your life (referring to the soldiers) is not less
important than mine. All of our lives are equally important. We are here to die
for our country,” said President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, during his visit to the
men and women of the Task Force Marawi.
The
President paused and became emotional while talking when he remembered how
reading the daily briefer (update) from Marawi units devastate him every night.
"I
grieve every time i learn that soldiers die everyday in Marawi."
Westerm
Mindanao Command (WestMinCom) information officer Cpt Jo-Ann D. Petinglay said
that the Commander-in-Chief arrived at the headquarters of the 103rd Brigade in
Campo Ranaw, Marawi City at around 2:20pm Thursday.
He was
accompanied by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, National Security Adviser
Hermogenes Esperon, Office of the Presidential Adviser for Military Affairs
Arthur Tabaquero, AFP Chief of Staff General Eduardo Año and Army Chief Lieutenant
General Glorioso Miranda, Cpt Petinglay added.
In a
security briefing, high-ranking military officers discussed the progress of the
military operations against the Maute-ISIS group and the conditions of
internally displaced persons in the city.
The
President, meanwhile, expressed his all-out support and gratitude to the troops
who are at the forefront in the government’s campaign against rebellion.
“I say a
little prayer for those who have fallen… I grieve for all the deaths, both
civilians and soldiers, especially that I was the one who made you come here,”
added President Duterte.
He further
vowed to allocate a 50-billion trust fund for the children of the military and
police, and to supply the troops best equipment.
“I urge you
to continue to fight for your country and always remember that I will fight for
your rights,” said the President.
The
Commander-in-Chief in his message also announced that he will provide side arms
and watches to all uniformed troops.
JTF Marawi
also presented to the president about 500 assorted high-powered firearms
recovered in Marawi City in a span of 59 days fighting and clearing operations
in the area.
The
President's visit seems to have brought good blessings to the soldiers and
policemen since the Mapandibridge, one of the strongholds of the terrorists was
retaken by the combined forces of the AFP and the PNP after days of intense
fighting.
In his
report to the President, Brigadier General Joselito Bautista, Commander of the
Joint Task Force Marawi said that just on Thursday, 16 strategically located
buildings were cleared, 9 firearms recovered including 1 M60 General Purpose
Machine Gun, 1 Grenade launcher (burned), 1 M14 rifle and 2 M4 carbine rifles.
Additionally,
soldiers and policemen were also able to recover 1 enemy body count and
recorded 6 sniper kills.
No comments:
Post a Comment