Almost P4-B spent in Marawi City battle: Lorenzana

MANILA — The government had spent an estimated PHP4 billion in the five-month battle to liberate Marawi City from the clutches of the Maute Group terrorists.

This was bared by Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana during the sidelines of the DND’s 78th founding anniversary Monday.

“Walang akong figures ngayon but last time (I don’t have figures now but last time), I think (total expenses) is close to PHP4 billion,” he added.

This sum includes expenditures in ammunition, fuel, food, medicines and other combat necessities of the Army, Air Force and Navy.

Fighting in Marawi City started when government troops tried to arrest Abu Sayyaf leader and ISIS Emir in Southeast Asia, Isnilon Hapilon, last May 23.

It was declared over last October 23 following the death of Hapilon and Omar Maute, one of the founders of the terror group.

The fighting killed an estimated 923 Maute terorrists and their allies, including three stragglers last week, and 165 government troops aside from costing billions in infrastructure damage. (PNA)

Popular

PH gets support from Cambodia, Thailand in 2026 ASEAN chairship

By Brian Campued Cambodia and Thailand have conveyed their support for the Philippines’ upcoming chairship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) next year. During...

PBBM cites efforts to build ‘future-ready’ PH

By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos | Philippine News Agency The Philippines will be “future-ready” through fair taxation, relief for workers and measures to ease the cost...

PBBM champions early childhood education

By Brian Campued President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday distributed 35 school bags and a Starlink unit in La Paz Child Development Center (CDC)...

PBBM welcomes expansion of Bulacan cold storage facility

By Brian Campued President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. touted the expansion of the Royale Cold Storage (RCS) facility in Bulacan as a welcome development in...