'Fight for our country, I’ll fight for your rights’- Duterte to Marawi troops

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.

As of this report, the running total of terrorist neutralized is 427.