Palace convoy ambushed
Duterte pushes through with Lanao del Sur trip today despite attack on advance party
Seven Presidential Security Group (PSG) members and two soldiers were wounded when a powerful explosion rocked a passing convoy of President Duterte’s advance party yesterday morning in Marawi City.
Despite the attack, President Duterte will push through with his planned visit to Lanao de Sur today, defying security recommendation to postpone his Mindanao trip.
The President said that if something bad happens to him, he assured the nation that Vice President Leni Robredo could ably assume the top government post.
“I’m going there (even though) the advice is to postpone. If possible, I might take the sea route and I might even take the same route,” the President said in his impromptu remarks at the inauguration of the drug abuse treatment and rehabilitation center inside a military camp in Nueva Ecija.
Marine Col. Edgard A. Arevalo, chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Public Affairs Office (AFP-PAO), said the convoy of the presidential guards, Radio-Television Malacañang (RTVM), and soldiers was heading to the tactical command post of the 103rd Infan SEOUL,
try Brigade to coordinate security for President Duterte’s visit when the lead vehicle was hit by the roadside bombing while passing by Sitio Matalupay, Barangay Panod, Marawi City at past 10 a.m. yesterday.
PSG spokesman Michael Aquino an improvised explosive device (IED) was detonated while the convoy was passing by. The group is part of the advance party preparing for the President’s scheduled visit to Lanao del Sur today.
Aquino said the wounded troops were immediately taken to a hospital in Cagayan de Oro. One of the PSG members sustained serious wounds. He declined to name the blast victims until their families have been notified.
He said authorities are investigating the incident to identify explosive and unmask the perpetrators of the attack. He could not say if the attack was targeting the President or a result of the ongoing operations in the area.
There is no official word yet if the President will cancel his visit to Lanao today following the roadside attack.
But Aquino assured the PSG members are well trained and prepared to ensure the safety and protection of the President.
“Tight talaga ang security natin kahit saan tayo magpunta. Hindi naman tayo nagpapabaya, talagang alert tayo,” he said.
Duterte admitted there is trouble in Mindanao but the situation is “under control,” apparently alluding to military offensives against the Maute Group in Lanao del Sur, which have killed at least 49 Islamic bandits and wounded 20 soldiers. The President had earlier confirmed that the group has already linked up with the international jihadist Islamic State.
Aware of the latest gunfights in Lanao, Duterte hinted he was ready for any eventuality, assuring the public that a line of succession is in place.
“We have Vice President LeniRobredo. You can have a gentle president in exchange of discourteous mouth,” said Duterte, known for his profanity-laced public speeches.
Presidential son and Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte condemned the attack, saying it was clearly intended to send a message to President Duterte.
“The message of the attack was clear and it targeted my father and his administration. It was meant to terrorize the government and the Filipino people,” he said.
The presidential son also said the attack was “meant to undermine Duterte’s peace efforts and his development agenda in Mindanao and the entire country.”
Meanwhile, Arevalo said troops have inched closer to the Maute Group strongholds at Barangays Sindig and Bayabaoin Butig town. The government offensive is headed by the 103rd Infantry Brigade, which is now reinforced by armor, artillery, and air units. (With reports from Francis T. Wakefield, Yas D. Ocampo, and PNA)