Ni: Francis T. Wakefield
Nakatakdang magpadala ng rekomendasyon sina Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana at Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff General Eduardo Año kay Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte kung magpapatuloy o hindi ang martial law sa Mindanao.
"We do not know if it will be lifted or extended. We will ask about the status not only in Marawi City but all over Mindanao. So lets wait for that time and I'm sure that it will be well informed recommendation to the president from us," ani Lorenzana.
Ayon kay AFP spokesman Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla, pinaghahandaan na nila ang posibilidad na magpatuloy ang martial law ngunit inaalam pa kung hanggang kailan.
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"Iyong assessment na gagawin natin kung nangangailangan pa bang ipagpatuloy ang martial law o hindi ay nakasalalay dun sa gagawing assessment at karamihan ng assessment na ‘yan ay galing sa ating ground commander sa kabuuan ng Mindanao," pahayag ni Padilla.
"Whatever recommendations will be forwarded to the president we can guarantee you that will be something that will be well thought of and will be something that will have basis. But the final decision will be the decision with the political leadership," dagdag niya.
SURVEY
Samantala, sinabi ni Lorenzana na magsasagawa rin ng survey upang matukoy ang laki ng pinsala na idinulot ng bakbakan sa Marawi City.
"The survey is needed for us to have a ballpark figure and determine on what equipment we will use to restore Marawi, especially infrastructures, the houses, the buildings," ayon kay Lorenzana.
"We will take a little bit longer. We will start with the houses of the civilians which was destroyed. The president has promised to help everybody here to rebuild their homes," ayon sa kanya.
Ayon pa kay Lorenzana, hinihiling niya sa Marawi residents na maging matiyaga sa pagkukumpuni at rehabilitasyon ng mga gusali, bahay at iba pang imprastruktura na napinsala sa gulo.
"I know they are anxious to return to their homes here in Marawi City. (But) we appeal for more patience," aniya.
Inamin ni Lorenzana na minaliit nila ang kakayahan ng Maute Group. Sinabi niya noong una na aabot lamang sa 200 hanggang 250 ang terorista ngunit ito ay umabot sa 700.
"So it turned out that we understimated their resources to also stay there and fight it out," pahayag ni Lorenzana.
"That's why the military is very careful. Of coruse we don't want to lose men and there are civilians still trapped inside. Hindi natin pwedeng i-flatten iyan with bombs saka kung ano pang mga gamit natin," pagtatapos niya.
