(Eagle News) — President Rodrigo Duterte showed his support for soldiers and policemen battling Islamist-inspired militants in Marawi City when he visited soldiers of the Joint Special Operation Task Force Trident in Camp Kilala during his second visit to Marawi City on August 4, Friday.
“I have to be here because I want all of you to know that… Mahal ko kayo. I hope you will be able to clean up Marawi City and get rid of the terrorists,” Duterte said in his speech.
On his second visit, he again vowed to establish a P50 billion trust fund for the education of the children of soldiers and policemen.
“’Yung promise ko na I will establish a trust fund of 50 billion when I go out of the presidency, that 50 billion will be dedicated solely to the education of your children,” he said, adding that he recently signed the law on free tertiary education in state universities and colleges.
The President said he is hopeful that the government will not lose more troops because of the ongoing battle.
The Commander-in-Chief’s second visit to the besieged city, just like the first, was unannounced. Officials only confirmed the visit when the President already left the area.
He was accompanied by National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr., Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, Armed Forces Chief General Eduardo Año, and Special Assistant to the President Christopher “Bong” Go.
The President, who believes that one of the root causes of the war in Marawi is illegal drugs, criticized former President Benigno Aquino.
The former President said that the present administration’s drug war has not resulted to anything significant.
“Sabi kasi ni Noynoy… Tinanong siya about the drug operation at ang sinabi nya wala namang nangyari eh, isang taon na… I answered back, napakagunggong mo naman. Napakasakit naman niyan… Marami akong sundalong namatay, wounded sa police… Nakakainsulto ‘yan,” Duterte said.
“I am very sensitive sa ganitong issue kasi marami ng mga pulis at sundalo na nangamatay, so kung careless magsabi ka na walang nangyari talagang mag-init ang ulo ko,” he stressed.
During his visit, President Duterte also inspected the improvised medical station for the soldiers on the ground. (with PCO report)
