“A few more days and we will prevail (there),” he says
(Eagle News) — President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday said an investigation into the source of weapons of local terrorists should be underway soon, as he surmised the crisis in Marawi would end in a “few more days.”
“It will be good that after this war, (we) start looking into saan itong mga baril at bala (nanggaling). Kasi may mga cartons doon marka pa (the Department of National Defense) ordnance. So bakit?…Di ko akalain na ganun karami ang bala. Saan nila nakuha?” he asked in his visit to Camp Quintin Merecido in Davao.
Anyway, the President said the way “it (was) evolving now, I think it will be a matter of days before the end.”
“We are winning the war, do not worry…Few more days and we will prevail in Marawi,” he told the soldiers, many of whom had at one point been deployed to the war-torn city.
“I will take care of you”
In his speech aimed at boosting their morale, Duterte thanked the soldiers for their service to the country, and assured them “(he would) take care of (them).”
He said he had taken certain steps to ensure their welfare.
For instance, he said their salary would have been doubled by January next year.
Before he leaves office, he said the soldiers would also have the P50-billion trust fund for the education of their children.
“I will also make a hospital here. Same equipment. If you suffer a wound, sagot ng government. Kuha ako ng isang ward for sundalo at pulis,” he said, noting that the troops were already better equipped in battle, thanks also to the China-donated weapons, which arrived on Wednesday.
He added the troops could also make use of his two presidential planes to ferry the wounded during operations.
“You’ll have the best of everything…If there’s a problem, tell your commander, get in touch with Bong, tell him the problem and I will solve the problem,” he said, referring to Bong Go, his trusted aide.
“During my time, I will take care of you. Do not be afraid to implement the law,” Duterte said.
He said he would visit another military camp on Friday, when he marks his first year in office.