Rody ready to extend Marawi operations to save hostages

President Duterte is ready to extend the operations in Marawi City by one year if it would mean saving even just one of those who are being held hostage by Maute militants.

Duterte said launching a full assault on the mosque that serves as the last stronghold of the terrorists would offend Muslims and place the lives of the captives in danger.

“If you destroy that, you’d have wounded the feelings of the entire Muslim world… The moment they rush up there, there will be clashes, and the captives will be beheaded. These are terrorists,” he told reporters in Cagayan de Oro last Saturday.

Duterte said he is not setting a timetable for the operations in Marawi but admitted that the siege has to end.

“If they say ‘Well, we need another six months,’ then we’ll just have to wait it out,” the President said, referring to government forces.

“If I can save one life there, I am willing to wait one year. If I save one life, that is the job of the soldier, then, they just surround the place and camp there until kingdom come if it could save a life,” he added.

More than 800 people have died since the Maute terrorists, which have professed loyalty to international extremist group Islamic State, laid siege to Marawi City last May 23.

The terrorist attacks prompted Duterte to place the entire island of Mindanao under martial law.

“I was the one who declared martial law. I was the one who ordered them to go there and to clash, to be wounded, even to die. That’s why I am sensitive when it comes to that issue,” Duterte said.

“So, how do I explain to the people? I mean, we could do that as a last resort but it’s a very horrendous thing to do,” he added.

Duterte said terrorists who surrender would be given due process and treated as human beings.

“We will… provide them with a lawyer, and… there will be no oppression or harassment, or anything,” he said, adding that no violence will be inflicted upon them if they surrender.

“I can guarantee that… That is not the way we treat people, especially even they’re criminals. They are not (prisoners of war) to me. They’re simply criminals. Period,” he added.

Duterte ruled out the possibility of allowing the Maute leaders to escape in exchange for the release of civilians.

“No way,” the President said when asked if he would accept such an offer from the terrorists.

Duterte confirmed that former Marawi mayor Omar Solitario tried to negotiate with the Maute group. The former mayor is in the arrest order issued by the defense department after Duterte declared martial law in Mindanao.

‘No Aussie boots on the ground’

Meanwhile, Malacañang yesterday confirmed reports that Australia is supporting government forces flushing out the terrorists in Marawi City.

Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said Australians have been providing technical assistance by sending their P3 Orion aircraft, which allowed government troops to increase their situational awareness in the battlefield.

“The sending of Australian Defense Force members to assist our military forces forms part of the offer of Australia to train the Armed Forces of the Philippines,” Abella said.

“Such training will be limited within the confines of our military bases. These and other joint military exercises with Australia will not involve any boots on the ground in accordance with our law prohibiting the direct participation of foreign troops in combat operations,” he added.

76 soldiers awarded

Seventy-six soldiers who were wounded in the battle against Maute militants were awarded the Order of Lapu-Lapu medals.

Duterte earlier ordered the granting of the awards which he bestowed on the soldiers who were confined at the Camp Evangelista Station Hospital in Cagayan de Oro the other day.

The President also gave each of the awardees a cellular phone, cash gift and brand-new service firearms.

Duterte acknowledged the importance of the servicemen’s efforts and reiterated the administration’s commitment to improve their lives and increase their benefits due them for the service to the country.

“Try to be alive and fight for the country. Our duty here is to protect the people and to preserve the Philippines, our country,” Duterte said.

“Let’s just finish off this chaos. It will not stop until the last terrorist is taken out. That’s what I have told the nation, that’s what we have to follow,” he added.

The President assured that the troops would have everything that they need, including the education of their children through the P50-billion trust fund that he is currently raising for them.

He also encouraged the soldiers to make use of their direct access to him.