President enters Main Battle Area in Marawi City

By Jong Cadion

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur (August 5, 2017) - Even the heavy rain could not stop the Commander in Chief in visiting his troops in the frontline on Friday (August 4), military official said.

Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom) information officer Cpt Jo-Ann D. Petinglay disclosed that days after troops successfully gained strategic structures previously held by the Daesh-inspired group, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte entered the main battle area and visited the soldiers and policemen fighting in Marawi City. The Commander-in-Chief arrived 30 minutes past 4 in the afternoon on Friday (August 4), bringing G-Shock watches and goods for the engaged soldiers.

Cpt. Petinglay said he was welcomed by Lieutenant General Carlito G. Galvez, Jr., Commander of the Western Mindanao Command; Brigadier General Rolando Bautista, Commander of the Joint Task Force Marawi; Major General Pamonag, Commander of the Special Operations Command; Brigadier General Ramiro Rey, Commander of the Joint Task Force Ranao; and other ground commanders.

In his message to the troops, the president said he wanted them to stay alive and "practice caution until the end of the war."

"Malapit na itong matapos, konting tiis nalang. Just make sure na buhay kayo pag natapos itong gyera na ito," he told around 300 soldiers and policemen who excitedly listened to him.

Cpt. Petinglay said he met with ground commanders, including battalion and company commanders who are in the main battle area, to show them that he is, all the way, with them in this fight. The President also vowed to put up 50 billion trust fund for the soldier's and policemen's dependents.

Scholarship grants will also be accorded to the children of all uniformed men, added the President, she added.

President Duterte left an hour after, but soldiers were all smiles after meeting and seeing personally their Commander-in-Chief.

While getting drenched in the rain, he spent about 20 minutes taking selfies and groupies with the troops before he left the vicinity. He was accompanied by National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr; Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana; AFP Chief of Staff, General Eduardo Ano; the Army Chief, Lieutenant General Glorioso Miranda; the Flag Officer in Command, Philippine Navy, Vice Admiral Ronald Joseph S Mercado; and the Airforce Chief, Lieutenant General Edgar R. Fallorina during the visit.