Duterte: “It can save lives”
(Eagle News) — The United States special forces have joined the battle in the southern Philippine city of Marawi providing technical expertise to government troopers, after 13 Philippine marines were killed in intense urban fighting, and President Rodrigo Duterte said he is thankful for this help by the US forces.
Duterte, on Sunday, June 11, said he only became aware of the US forces’ technical support when they arrived to the country to help.
“I am not aware of that until they arrived,” he told reporters in Cagayan de Oro City on Sunday, June 11.
“When I declared martial law, I gave powers to the defense department. Hindi ako nakikialam,” he said.
Duterte however still maintained that the Philippine troops can battle the Islamist militants, but that he also welcomed the US forces’ technical expertise.
“Maybe we do not have the technical expertise to do it,” he said.
“Ang Philippine army nag-schooling sila sa America. Ito talaga ang sentimyento nito – pro-American talaga ang mga sundalo natin, that I cannot deny,” Duterte said, even as he explained that he was not really against the Americans in general, but only against the earlier criticisms hurled against him by former U.S. President Barack Obama.
“My quarrel is with the (US) State Department and si Obama noon,” he said.
But he said present US President Donald Trump was a “friend” and that he was even favoring his policies on the drug war.
Never asked US for help, says Duterte
Still, Duterte clarified that he never asked the US to help in the Marawi fighting.
“I never approached any American to say that tumulong kayo,” he said.
“Nagpapasalamat rin ako nandyan na rin. It can save lives,” Duterte said referring to the US forces’ technical help.
The Philippine military said the U.S. is providing technical support to end the siege of Marawi by fighters from the so-called Maute group, which took over large parts of the city late last month. The group is believed to be allied to the Islamic State (IS) militant group.
The marines were killed while rescuing trapped civilians in the conflict-torn city, a Philippine army spokesperson said, adding that so far, more than 200 people have been killed in the fighting, which is now in its third week.
Air strikes proceed to take down militants’ battle posts
The military said it is directing its air strikes at the central business district of the city where the insurgents are dug in, but it is proceeding carefully so as not to destroy mosques where some of the militants had taken up positions.
Warplanes hovered over on Saturday and black smoke could be seen rising in many parts of the city.
It is also believed there is a network of underground tunnels where the militants can take shelter from the bombing.
“The use of air strike is to soften the position [of the enemy] and to take down battle positions of the enemy, particularly machine gun nests, sniper’s nests, and the command in control of the enemy,” said Col. Jo-ar Herrera, spokesperson for the Philippine army’s 1st Infantry Division.
Relentless air strikes have wreaked havoc on the ground, with many homes damaged beyond recognition.
The ongoing clashes broke out on May 23 when the Maute group attacked Marawi, prompting President Rodrigo Duterte to declare martial law across the entire southern island of Mindanao. (with a report from China Central Television)
