Never let your guard down.

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has called on the nation to be prepared for any eventuality due to the lingering threat of terrorism.

The President recognized this continuing, dangerous threat from the Islamic State (IS) even after commending government troops for the liberation of Marawi City from terrorist influence.

“In the coming days, with the siege that happened in Marawi, I’m not trying to scare you. Let’s just be prepared for any eventuality. Terrorism is everywhere,” the President said during the MassKara festival in Bacolod City Sunday night.

“No nation has escaped from the clutches of the evil of the ISIS. It’s an ideology that is dedicated to just kill human beings and destroy the places whatever, or what kind, heritage and all,” he said.

Duterte said the public should exercise “a little bit of caution” and watch their surroundings to prevent a repeat of the “awful” siege in Marawi.

“Just what happened in Marawi, it was an awful thing to just see what was evolving before our eyes. Kaya mag-preparar kamo sa [So be prepared, exercise] a little bit of caution and everything and it would help if everybody also could watch everybody, not really a profiling. I hate it, I do not do it,” he said.

“Please take care that nothing of this sort will happen again especially here in the Visayas,” he added.

The President, meantime, expressed gratitude to the government troops for fighting the militants in Marawi, saying not everybody is given a chance to die for the country.

Duterte also urged the public to give tribute to the troops who went through “hell” in quelling the terror threat in Marawi.

“You treat your soldiers well. They have sacrificed for this country,” he said, citing that some troops have been pulled out from Marawi after the nearly five-month siege in Marawi.

“Baka bigyan ninyo ng party dyan, yayain ninyo because they really went into hell at yung iba did not make it [Give them a party, invite them because they really went into hell and others did not make it],” he said.

Duterte said he was saddened by the deaths of the soldiers and policemen during the Marawi conflict.

“But anyway, let us thank the Armed Forces, the police, the Coast Guard who participated there and of course  everybody connected with the pacification campaign” he said.

The President’s statement came amid reports the military was battling a final group of fighters holed up in Marawi. The remaining gunmen reportedly included some foreign fighters.

The Marawi conflict began when the Maute terror group attacked the city and took several hostages last May 23.   President Duterte was forced to declare martial law in Mindanao to quell the lawless violence and rebellion. The military launched intense offensives, including air strikes, to flush out the rebels from city.

So far, the conflict has claimed more than a thousand lives and displaced thousands of families from their homes.

After declaring the liberation of Marawi City, the President has promised to rebuild Marawi City into a safe and resilient community.

Source:
courtesy of MANILA BULLETIN

by Genalyn D. Kabiling

If you have any stories or news that you would like to share with the global online community, please feel free to share it with us by contacting us directly at [email protected]