(Eagle News) — President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday threatened to “purge” local governments in Marawi, which he criticized for not informing troops about the existence of tunnels that are being used by the local terrorists.
“(The local terrorists) have positions and yet we are not aware of it. I am blaming officials of the local government for that. I think I have to purge them,” he said.
He said “nobody told us about the tunnels that (are) similar to (those created by the) Viet Cong.”
As such, the military, he said were “having a hard time” as local terrorists “keep on running.”
“Plus there are hostages,” he said.
No letup
According to the President, there would be “no letup until the last terrorist was out” in Marawi.
He said when the Marawi crisis was over, though, there would be no celebrations.
“After this, we go quietly. We do not want to show any kind of celebration or happiness, because after all, they’re all Filipinos,” he said.
“And we try always to forge unity,” he added.