Visit to Marawi City (Speech) 7/20/2017

103rd Infantry (Haribon) Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, Philippine Army, Kampo Ranao
July 20, 2017

In his third attempt, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte visited Marawi City and went to the 103rd Infantry (Haribon) Brigade, 1st Infantry Division of the Philippine Army in Kampo Ranao, Marawi City.

The Commander-in-Chief saw the massive damages in the war-torn city due to the ongoing clashes between government troops and the Maute terror group.

President Duterte held a command conference with the 103rd Infantry (Haribon) Brigade military officers wherein they presented the current situation in Marawi and the nearby cities. Thereafter, the President viewed the display of low and high-powered firearms and ammunitions seized by the troops from the battleground and in their areas of responsibility.

He also provided grocery packs and G-shock watches to about 3,000 military and police forces in a ceremonial distribution.

In his message, President Duterte expressed his utmost gratitude to the soldiers fighting in ground zero and finally being able to talk to them after two failed prior attempts to visit Marawi due to inclement weather.

“Actually, ayaw nila pero sabi ko as I’ve said I attempted twice to visit you dito sa Marawi talaga… I do not want to be visiting the place kung peace time na at may celebration na parang hindi magandang tingnan para sa akin yan. So, even I was a Mayor I penetrated the areas where there was fighting minsan pinapahinto ko ‘yung NPA pati yung gobyerno para makuha ko lang ‘yung — but those were the days, and I could maybe compromise, pwede akong magbigay. Hindi na ako puwede ngayon, Presidente na ako so different role, different duty, different mandate… But I have to be here, magbisita talaga ako kasi gusto kong malaman ninyo na isa lang tayo. Your life is not less important than mine, our lives are very important to the country and to your family,” President Duterte said.

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