Post by westgold on Jul 12, 2017 16:27:19 GMT 9
PRESIDENT Duterte yesterday said he expects the Marawi crisis to be resolved in about 10 to 15 days due to the abundance of high-powered weapons used by the Islamic State-leaning local terrorists groups that made it more challenging to government forces.
The President, during the 10th Listing Anniversary of the Phoenix Petroleum Inc., Makati City, said he never anticipated that the enemies would have so much high-powered firearms at their disposal up to this time or about 50 days since the attack in Marawi City that led to the declaration of martial law.
“I need about 15 more days….why was it difficult? What I don’t know, and maybe they also didn’t know—maybe we missed it – was the amount of firearms. They never ran out. This is the 45th , 46th day? They never ran out – especially the grenades,” he said.
Duterte said he wants to visit Marawi this week, his third attempt since the fighting started and the 60-day martial law in Mindanao was declared. The martial law declaration lapses on July 22.
He said he wants to personally check on the government forces on the ground and show them that he is one with them.
“I want to go there, not to compromise the soldiers, they can land me farther away, but I want to be there while there is still fighting so that I can observe. But I’ll try to make it again, this week we’ll see… But I think, in 10 to 15 days it’s already okay,” he added.
National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. said the 10 to 15 days referred to by the President was just an “indicative target” and the government is determined to resolve the situation by then.
Asked if Duterte was referring to an end of the operations in Marawi or the possible extension of martial law, chief presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo said “he could be referring to both as martial law was declared on the basis of the ongoing rebellion in Marawi City.”
He added that the extension of martial law would depend on the recommendations of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police, among others. The AFP is still preparing its recommendations on the possible lifting or extension of martial law.
ESCAPE ATTEMPT
Four individuals reportedly involved in the ongoing Maute Group rebellion in Marawi City were arrested at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay City on Monday afternoon, the military said.
In a press briefing in Camp Aguinaldo, Armed Forces spokesman Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla said one of the suspects is listed in Arrest Order No. 2 issued by Defense Secretary and Martial Law Administrator Delfin Lorenzana.
PNP Aviation Security Group head Chief Supt. Sheldon Jacaban named him as Alnizar Palawan Maute, who is currently under the custody of the National Bureau of Investigation.
The three other suspects, who are undergoing further investigation by the PNP Criminal Investigation Group, were Yasser Dumaraya Maute, Ashary Palawan Maute, and Abdulrahman Maute.
The four were about to leave for Malaysia when intercepted by authorities, said Padilla. He could not however immediately say the purpose of the four in going to Malaysia and where they came from.
Padilla said the four were part of the seven initially held by Bureau of Immigration on Monday afternoon based on the agency’s watchlist. The three others were eventually cleared and allowed to board a flight.
Initial investigation indicated that the four were involved in the rebellion and were prevented from leaving the country. It was not immediately clear if the four are related to Maute Group leaders Omar and Abdullah Maute.
“One of them was confirmed to be in the Arrest Order No. 2 and will be charged in court,” said Padilla. “The others need to be further cross-checked (if they are indeed involved in the rebellion),” he said.
On whether the four came from Mindanao, Padilla said he also has no available information.
Padilla could not immediately say the specific involvement of the four in the ongoing rebellion in Marawi City. He said one may be involved in fighting or supporting the cause.
Padilla said the fighting in Marawi has already resulted in the death of 90 soldiers and policemen, and 39 civilians.
On reports that 2,000 civilians having been killed in the fight, Lorenzana said these are “unverified reports.”
“Operations are still ongoing and the proper authorities are still assessing, consolidating, and verifying data from MarawiCity. For now, we once again call on the people to be more cautious and discerning. Do not accept any information as fact,” said Lorenzana.
Padilla said the number of civilians killed in the conflict may increase from the current 39, noting that government forces have yet to reach the interiors of the areas held by Maute members.
Citing figures from the local officials, Padilla said there are about 300 civilians still unaccounted for in Marawi.
“The unaccounted civilians may include trapped civilians who have not yet left their places of abode, they may include missing persons who may be hostages of the enemy or may just be around,” said Padilla.
www.malaya.com.ph/business-news/news/duterte-marawi-%E2%80%98i-need-10-15-more-days%E2%80%99
The President, during the 10th Listing Anniversary of the Phoenix Petroleum Inc., Makati City, said he never anticipated that the enemies would have so much high-powered firearms at their disposal up to this time or about 50 days since the attack in Marawi City that led to the declaration of martial law.
“I need about 15 more days….why was it difficult? What I don’t know, and maybe they also didn’t know—maybe we missed it – was the amount of firearms. They never ran out. This is the 45th , 46th day? They never ran out – especially the grenades,” he said.
Duterte said he wants to visit Marawi this week, his third attempt since the fighting started and the 60-day martial law in Mindanao was declared. The martial law declaration lapses on July 22.
He said he wants to personally check on the government forces on the ground and show them that he is one with them.
“I want to go there, not to compromise the soldiers, they can land me farther away, but I want to be there while there is still fighting so that I can observe. But I’ll try to make it again, this week we’ll see… But I think, in 10 to 15 days it’s already okay,” he added.
National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. said the 10 to 15 days referred to by the President was just an “indicative target” and the government is determined to resolve the situation by then.
Asked if Duterte was referring to an end of the operations in Marawi or the possible extension of martial law, chief presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo said “he could be referring to both as martial law was declared on the basis of the ongoing rebellion in Marawi City.”
He added that the extension of martial law would depend on the recommendations of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police, among others. The AFP is still preparing its recommendations on the possible lifting or extension of martial law.
ESCAPE ATTEMPT
Four individuals reportedly involved in the ongoing Maute Group rebellion in Marawi City were arrested at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay City on Monday afternoon, the military said.
In a press briefing in Camp Aguinaldo, Armed Forces spokesman Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla said one of the suspects is listed in Arrest Order No. 2 issued by Defense Secretary and Martial Law Administrator Delfin Lorenzana.
PNP Aviation Security Group head Chief Supt. Sheldon Jacaban named him as Alnizar Palawan Maute, who is currently under the custody of the National Bureau of Investigation.
The three other suspects, who are undergoing further investigation by the PNP Criminal Investigation Group, were Yasser Dumaraya Maute, Ashary Palawan Maute, and Abdulrahman Maute.
The four were about to leave for Malaysia when intercepted by authorities, said Padilla. He could not however immediately say the purpose of the four in going to Malaysia and where they came from.
Padilla said the four were part of the seven initially held by Bureau of Immigration on Monday afternoon based on the agency’s watchlist. The three others were eventually cleared and allowed to board a flight.
Initial investigation indicated that the four were involved in the rebellion and were prevented from leaving the country. It was not immediately clear if the four are related to Maute Group leaders Omar and Abdullah Maute.
“One of them was confirmed to be in the Arrest Order No. 2 and will be charged in court,” said Padilla. “The others need to be further cross-checked (if they are indeed involved in the rebellion),” he said.
On whether the four came from Mindanao, Padilla said he also has no available information.
Padilla could not immediately say the specific involvement of the four in the ongoing rebellion in Marawi City. He said one may be involved in fighting or supporting the cause.
Padilla said the fighting in Marawi has already resulted in the death of 90 soldiers and policemen, and 39 civilians.
On reports that 2,000 civilians having been killed in the fight, Lorenzana said these are “unverified reports.”
“Operations are still ongoing and the proper authorities are still assessing, consolidating, and verifying data from MarawiCity. For now, we once again call on the people to be more cautious and discerning. Do not accept any information as fact,” said Lorenzana.
Padilla said the number of civilians killed in the conflict may increase from the current 39, noting that government forces have yet to reach the interiors of the areas held by Maute members.
Citing figures from the local officials, Padilla said there are about 300 civilians still unaccounted for in Marawi.
“The unaccounted civilians may include trapped civilians who have not yet left their places of abode, they may include missing persons who may be hostages of the enemy or may just be around,” said Padilla.
www.malaya.com.ph/business-news/news/duterte-marawi-%E2%80%98i-need-10-15-more-days%E2%80%99