Fil-Chinese group donates underwear for soldiers fighting in Marawi

CEBU CITY – A Filipino-Chinese group on Wednesday donated at least 6,000 pieces of underwear for soldiers fighting the Maute group in Marawi City.

Michael Que, chairperson of the SDS International Charities, turned over the items to Lt. Gen. Oscar Lactao, commander of the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) Central Command, at the Camp Lapu-Lapu in Cebu City.

“We want to support our troops in Marawi and to uplift their morale. We’re happy and honored to be part of this program,” said Que in a message he delivered during a simple turn over ceremony.

“Our soldiers are sacrificing their lives and even their families for freedom and for our country. May peace eventually come,” he added.

SDS International Charities is composed of 1,600 Chinese-Filipino businessmen in the Philippines who extend help to different sectors of the community.

Lactao assured the donor that all items would immediately be sent to the soldiers who continued to fight to regain control of Marawi City.

“In behalf of the AFP Central Command, I’d like to thank SDS for the gift. Thank you for your support,” he said.

“We already have many casualties in Marawi. I enjoin our people to support our troops. Your support will further strengthen our resolve to do our duty as protectors of the state,” he added.

Last May 23, President Rodrigo Duterte declared martial law in Mindanao for 60 days as the clash between government troops and the Maute terror group in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur continues.

The Islamic State-inspired Maute militants that have pledged allegiance to the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) took over parts of Marawi, burned some infrastructures, and took as hostage a number of people.

The siege dragged on and triggered mass evacuation and destroyed a number of establishments.

As of June 25, at least 290 Maute terrorists, 70 government troopers, and 27 civilians were killed, said Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella in a report.