Duterte vows gov’t doing its best to ‘expedite’ Marawi rehab

Workers rush to finish temporary shelters in Barangay Sagonsongan in Marawi that the government has promised to residents displaced by war. (Photo by DIVINA SUSON / Inquirer Mindanao)

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday said his administration is “doing its best” to fast track the completion of the Marawi rehabilitation as the country marked the fourth year of the city’s liberation against Islamic-state linked militants.

Duterte personally went to Marawi City to commemorate the siege, which happened when Maute group launched a siege in the city in 2017, leaving the predominantly Muslim area in shambles.

“Let me take this opportunity to reassure the people of Marawi that the government is doing its best to expedite the completion of rehabilitation projects at the soonest possible time,” the President said in his speech.

“We, in government, are strongly committed to bring back the city’s glory,” he added.

Secretary of Human Settlements and Urban Development of the Philippines Eduardo Del Rosario said the public infrastructure in Marawi City is now 75 to 80 percent complete.

Del Rosario also said that the government is committed to complete the Marawi rehabilitation within the term of Duterte.

It was on May 23, 2017, when the Maute group, which has expressed alliance with the Islamic State (IS), raided Marawi’s town center and occupied the city.

Philippine forces successfully liberated the city by October of the same year, but it came at the loss of lives and infrastructure being destroyed.

The five-month siege led to the death of 168 soldiers and police officers, along with 900 Maute militants, and scores of civilians.

“How sad it is. I pray to God that it will never happen ever, ever again,” Duterte said.

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JPV