Lanao LGU, Muslim leaders welcome female troops
LANAO DEL Sur’s local government and the leader of the different sultanates in the province welcomed the deployment of more than a hundred female government forces on Tuesday to assist female evacuees from besieged Marawi City. The female security forces are composed of 40 cops and 62 Philippine Army members. Camid C. Gandamra, Marawi City administrator, said they are thankful for the efforts of the police and the military in fighting members of the Islamic State-inspired Maute terror group as well as in assisting residents who have been displaced. “The people of Marawi will never forget your good deeds,” Mr. Gandamra said as he welcomed the contingent. Sultan Macmod Dalidig, chairman of the 16 sultanates in Lanao del Sur, gave assurance to the troops that “we are your partners in any peace programs in our area.” The female officers will be assigned to different evacuation centers within Lanao del Sur, Iligan City, and Lanao del Norte. They will also take part in rehabilitation work in Marawi. Lt. Gen. Carlito G. Galvez, Jr. commander of the Western Mindanao Command, said the all-women contingent underwent special training on Gender and Development and studied modules on cultural sensitivity prior to their deployment. —