Rody visits Marawi for 6th time

MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte yesterday visited Marawi City for the sixth time to witness the unveiling of shelters for the residents displaced by the clashes between government forces and terrorists. 

The construction of shelters was part of the “Bahay Pag-asa” project initiated by the Tarlac Heritage Foundation, one of the private groups helping the government rebuild the battle-ravaged city. 

Recipients of the shelter would be part of a “green community,” which has solar panels to enable occupants to use appliances and equipment like electric fans, radios and mobile phones. 

The community also has a big garden with organic vegetables and medicinal plants and a multi-purpose hall.

The temporary shelters were made of bamboo and benefitted 50 families in Barangay Bito Buadi Itowa.

During the event Duterte assured the beneficiaries of the shelters that the government is pushing for federalism to address the conflict in Mindanao. He also vowed to address the threat posed by communist rebels once the Marawi crisis is over. 

“We have to finish it otherwise the next generation would inherit this (problem),” Duterte said. 

After the event, Duterte visited the troops fighting the Maute terrorists and distributed goods like sunglasses and watches.

More than 900 people have died since the Marawi siege started when the Maute group attacked the city last May 23. 

Malacañang also welcomed the holding of a mass at Saint Mary’s Cathedral last Sunday, the first since the crisis erupted. 

The cathedral is one of the areas occupied by the Maute terrorists. 

“Saint Mary’s Cathedral had been damaged during the siege of the city; and the terrorist group posted propaganda video of their desecration of the cathedral’s religious images,” presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said.