OCTOBER 14, 2017
In this picture shows the destruction brought about by fighting between government troops and pro Islamic State militants in Marawi City.
JEOFFREY MAITEM
Despite President Rodrigo Duterte鈥檚 declaration that Marawi City is now liberated from terrorists, its residents still cannot return to the war-torn area until after clearing operations are completed, Marawi City Mayor Majul Usman Gandamra said on Tuesday afternoon.
Gandamra said it would still take two to three days before the conflict is completely over.
鈥淲e will be waiting for the signal from the military kung pwede na hong pumasok 鈥榶ung mga kababayan. But first, kailangan muna nating i-cleanse, clearing operations in the war zone. Sa mga areas na hindi masyadong naapektuhan, we will allow our constituents to go back,鈥� the Marawi City mayor said in an interview over ANC.
鈥淥ne or 2 to 3 days ay maari na pong matapos ang kaguluhan dito. With the President鈥檚 declaration, I鈥檓 confident na matatapos na po itong gulo,鈥� he added.
Aside from the devastated infrastructures and homes in the city, the local chief also said they have to focus on rehabilitating the 鈥渟ocial dimension鈥� of its residents.
鈥淗indi lang imprastruktura, pati social dimension ng pamumuhay dito sa Marawi City, 鈥榶an po ay isa sa ating gusto i-prioritize,鈥� Gandamra said.
While efforts to engage the participation of residents and leaders of Marawi City are ongoing, the mayor stressed that a concrete program to address 鈥渧iolent extremism ideologies鈥� in Mindanao should be established.
鈥淜ailangan talaga ng programa to address this violent extremism itong mga ideology imported from foreign countries,鈥� Gandamra said.
鈥淢arami po tayong kabataan na naeengganyo ng mga teroristang ito, even in colleges and professionals. Hindi lang gobyerno ang gumawa ng hakbang kundi ating kababayan at leaders para pagtulungan ito,鈥� he added.
Duterte, speaking before soldiers, earlier announced the liberation of the Marawi City from the ISIS-inspired Maute terrorist group.
鈥淟adies and gentlemen, I hereby declare Marawi City liberated from the terrorist influence that marks the beginning of rehabilitation,鈥� the President said. /je
搁贰础顿:听Duterte: Marawi City 鈥榣iberated from terrorists鈥�