Davao City Allots P1 Million Aid For Marawi Amid On-going Firefight Between Maute, Gov’t Troops

The Davao City Government designated some P1 million for relief good operations to affected residents in Marawi City amid on-going heavy firefight between local terrorist group Maute and government troops.

Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio on Monday, May 29 said that a total of 500 sacks of rice are on standby, ready to be delivered to Iligan City for the evacuees from Marawi City. 

Each sack of rice costs P2,000. 

“We have a plan to send relief goods to Iligan City, but we can’t deliver it immediately as there are safety and security issues to consider. The problem is the safety of the people (who will deliver the goods), the trucks and the relief goods itself,” she said.

The Mayor said that they are set to meet with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) within this week and discuss regarding the city’s request for security assistance. 

“We are yet to finalize things with AFP since we also do not want to be a hassle for them for now given the situation. Busy pa talaga sila and we understand. But it is only them who can assist us, so we have to sit down with them,” she said.

Mayor Duterte-Carpio also reported that as of Monday morning, no evacuee from Marawi is in the city yet. 

“So far no evacuees camp, maybe there are some who came from Marawi and now live with their relatives here in Davao,” she said. 

Mayor Duterte-Carpio also reiterates her stand that the city is wide open for evacuees stating it is not just a moral obligation of the local government but also of the people as fellow Mindanawon.

The Mayor also gave a “good” assessment of the martial law implementation in Davao City but maintains security is still up on red alert.

President Duterte has declared martial law in Mindanao effective for 60 days since May 23 due to the Marawi crisis.

“So far, Davao City is doing okay, as I said, we have guidelines, just please be guided accordingly. Always, exercise prudence in planning your activity, avoid crowded places as we have a very volatile situation in Mindanao,” she said. 

She also noted that crime rate here significantly remains low because of the cooperation of the residents and the heightened security measures.

The City Mayor supports her father’s, President Rodrigo Duterte, call urging Muslim separatists and Maoist-led rebels to join his government’s fight against Islamic State-linked extremists.

“That is the option and prerogative of the president, if he thinks that is the best thing to do, we leave it up to him,” she said.

Mayor Duterte-Carpio trusts the military for the implementation of martial law in Mindanao but said that the local government unit and the people will safeguard and ensure that no violations of human rights will be committed.

During a visit on Saturday, May 27, to an army base on Jolo, President Duterte said he would treat communist and separatist guerrillas the same as government troops if they join his fight.

“I will hire you as soldiers, same pay, same privileges, and I will build houses for you in some areas,” President Duterte said to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).

He also asked the communist New People’s Army (NPA) to join the war against terrorists.

Source: Sunstar PH