(Eagle News) — President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday (June 20) visited evacuees from Marawi City staying in Iligan City, promising them that his government will rebuild their city and make it beautiful again.
This was the first time that the President visited the Marawi evacuees since the fighting erupted almost a month ago in this southern city which is the capital and the largest city of the province of Lanao del Sur on the island of Mindanao.
In his speech, the President asked the Maranaos for their forgiveness because he had to declare martial law in Mindanao.
Forgive me for declaring martial law – Duterte
He explained that he had “no choice.”
“I would like to say to the Maranao people that I am very, very sorry na nangyari ito sa atin. Sana sa lalong madaling panahon you’ll find it in your heart to forgive my soldiers, pati ako for declaring martial law,” he told the Maranao evacuees when he visited them on Tuesday.
“Wala akong choice e. Sinisira na ang Marawi. (I had no choice. They are destroying Marawi) I have to drive them out,” Duterte said referring to Islamist State-linked terrorists, including Maute rebels and Abu Sayyaf members, who have taken hold of parts of Marawi City.
This was aside from reported foreign terrorists who had been helping local Islamist extremists who have adopted the IS ideology.
Rehabilitation funds for Marawi
The President vowed to help rebuild Marawi City and to help all those who had been displaced by the fighting.
“Tutulungan ko kayo. Huwag kayong mag-alala. Tutulungan ko kayo hanggang relocation. And then, we will rehabilitate ang Marawi. Gaganda iyon ulit,” he said.
He said he would be allocating P20 billion to rebuild Marawi City after the war.
A few hours before Duterte spoke, Philippine OV-10 Bronco planes were seen making diving attacks on Marawi, followed by deafening explosions.
Sixty-two soldiers have died in the conflict, including 10 killed in a “friendly fire” bombing, according to authorities.
They have reported three policemen and 26 civilians also dying in the conflict, with 19 residents dying of disease in displacement camps.
The government has reported 258 militants being killed, including a Chechen, a Libyan, Malaysians and other foreigners.
The militants’ main leaders, including a Filipino on the US government’s list of most-wanted terrorists, remain in Marawi, according to authorities.
(with a report from Agence France Presse)
