By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga
President Rodrigo Duterte yesterday thanked the members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) for liberating Marawi City from the Maute terror group, which is backed by the Islamic State (IS).
Despite the liberation of the city, the president urged Filipinos to remain vigilant as “the war with IS is not yet over.”
“I’m not trying to scare you, but let’s just be prepared for any eventuality,” Duterte said.
Yesterday, during a press conference, Colonel Romeo Brawner, deputy commander of the task force overseeing the conflict in Marawi City, said the remaining Maute fighters are currently being contained.
“There is still firefight going on inside the main battle area,” he said. “Maute-ISIS is now occupying only one building so there’s just one building left for the government forces to clear.”
Brawner speculated there were around 30 fighters inside the building.
Meanwhile, the president noted, terrorism is everywhere and no nation has escaped from the clutches of IS ideology, which he said will kill human beings and destroy places of heritage and rich culture.
“They really went into hell and not everyone made it,” the president added. “I feel sorry for them.”
Last Tuesday, Duterte declared the liberation of Marawi City after terror leaders Omar Maute and Isnilon Hapilon were killed following a special forces operation.
The government is currently finalizing plans to rehabilitate the city, while residents who previously fled are beginning to return.
President praises MassKara
The president also praised the annual celebration in Bacolod City, calling it “a symbol of the people’s happy disposition and resilience during difficult times.”
In his speech, he recalled the sugar crisis of the 1980s and the sinking of M/V Don Juan, yet despite those challenges, city leaders at the time managed to bring comfort and consolation through the MassKara Festival.
Duterte encouraged those gathered to show the same resolve in overcoming problems.
“Let the MassKara Festival become the continuing testament that no amount of hardship could dampen the Filipino spirit,” he added./DGB, WDJ