CAGAYAN
DE ORO CITY, June 12 -- President Rodrigo Duterte on Sunday
President
Duterte issued the statement during his visit to the 4th Infantry Division of
the Army at Camp Edilberto Evangelista in Cagayan de Oro City, where he honored
the wounded soldiers who have fought in the beleaguered
“Sa
gobyerno tayo, hindi tayo matalo. Not in a million years na matumba tayo,”
Duterte said in his speech pledging full support for the military in crushing
the extremist groups who have been wreaking havoc in Lanao del Sur.
The
President stressed that it is “impossible” for the military to lose in Marawi
citing the bravery and determination of the Armed Forces in fighting the local
terrorist groups.
As a
reward for their gallantry, the President promised to give them .45 caliber
pistols, which he said they could use when they return to the battlefield.
“Pagbalik
ninyo, doblado na ang gamit, ubos ang kalaban. Kaya natin ‘to,” he said.
The
Chief Executive personally pinned the Wounded Personnel Medal on each of the 84
soldiers who were brought to Camp Evangelista station hospital for treatment.
He
likewise gave financial assistance to the wounded soldiers and reiterated his
plan to set up a PHP50-billion trust fund for the education of their children.
Speaking
to reporters after visiting the wounded soldiers, President Duterte explained
that he had to declare martial law in the entire Mindanao in order to easily
contain the situation in Marawi and avoid a spillover of hostilities in other
parts of the country.
“Ang
problema nito 'yung spillover. That is why we have to declare martial law in
entire island of Mindanao because they can run everywhere and anywhere, and
they can always find sanctuary and solace kasi distributed tayong lahat,” he
said.
He
insisted that the siege was not fueled by religion but by illegal drugs trade.
“I
have ordered the military and the police to strike hard against the drug people
kasi kasama na sila sa rebellion. Ang rebellion was financed by drug money,” he
said.
"It
has nothing to do with religion. I refused to believe that it is religion that
fueled this war. It never has been and it is not now," he added.
The
President lamented that putting Mindanao under martial law was “not a good
thing” adding that waging war against his own people pained him.
“I do
not want to fight. I simply cannot wage a war against my own people. I pray
that there will be a short period of war activity and we expect it to be over
soon,” he said.
He
also committed to help the Maranao to get back on their feet especially the
underprivileged ones who have lost their homes and livelihood. (PNA)
