During the Mindanao hour press briefing in Malacañang, Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesperson Major General Restituto Padilla Jr. said that they want to avoid citizens from getting injured or hurt from the dangers that they would possibly meet along in the fields.
“As to the issue of IDPs, which we have been continuously asked, again, I would like to reiterate that we are not allowing any residents from entering the inner parts of Marawi yet because of the many hazards that still remain, and which have — which we have continuously emphasized repeatedly as IEDs, booby traps, and unexploded ordnance,” Padilla said.
Padilla stressed that lossing lives is something they don’t want to happen that’s why they’re asking for the resident’s understanding with the decision.
“Ito po ‘yung bagay na kinakailangan maintindihan po ng karamihan sa ating mga kapatid na mga Muslim at mga ibang IDPs diyan po sa Marawi ngayon na ang kapakanan po ninyo ang aming iniisip, kaya pagpasensyahan niyo po muna at konting pasensya dahil kinakailangan po natin talagang suyurin ang bawat sulok ng mga lugar kung saan nagkaroon ng bakbakan,” he said.
“Kinakailangan hanapin po natin lahat ng naiwang mga bomba na hindi pumutok, mga patibong na iniwan na hindi po namin nakita, at mga bagay na maaaring makasakit sa inyo,” he added.
Despite of the warning, Padilla announced that the Western side of Marawi, which is less affected by the war, is now clear and is currently having its massive clean-up drive.
“Kasama ng ating kasundaluhan na sine-secure ‘yung mga kalalakihan na mga nag-volunteer sa local government na naglilinis po ng mga kalye at mga lugar na kinakailangang daanan,” he explained.
“At ito po’y magpapatuloy hanggang sa takdang panahon na maayos na po ang lugar na ‘to upang matulungang ibalik sa normal ang takbo ng lahat,” he added. | (Tina Joyce Laceda – PTV)
