AFP: Ground commanders briefed before Russia trip

MANILA, Philippines (Updated 8:06 p.m.) — The military on Wednesday defended top Defense officials for joining President Rodrigo Duterte’s official visit to Russia despite reports that terrorists may launch attacks during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

 

Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla, Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesman, said ground commanders had been designated to oversee the operations against the Maute group even if the military top brass were out of the country.

 

Clashes in Marawi erupted on May 23 after a failed security operation against Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon.

 

“Our top officials in the armed forces needed to be there (Russia) to show their commitment because we want to establish relationships,” Padilla said.

 

“Regardless of where they were, they could have been elsewhere in Asia, any part of the world, when any kind of trouble erupts anywhere in the Philippines, we have ground commanders who are very competently looking after the security situation in these areas and we trust their judgment,” he added.

 

Brig. Gen. Nixon Fortes, commanding officer of the Marawi-based 103rd Infantry Brigade, has since been relieved and designated assistant division commander of the 1st Infantry Division. The Army said the transfer was not related to operations in Marawi.

 

Senior Superintendent Oscar Nantes, Lanao del Sur provincial police chief, has also been transferred to the regional police office.  

 

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and Gen. Eduardo Año, AFP chief of staff, were in the official delegation of the Russia trip. Also in Moscow when the clashes erupted were Philippine National Police Director General Ronal dela Rosa and National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon.

Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella agreed with Padilla, saying saying top security officials do not need to be physically present on the ground.

 

“They didn’t have to be there to pull out guns. These matters were going to be related to ground commanders. However, there was sufficient information and the ground commanders themselves had said, “Look…You can travel,” he said.

 

Abella also called on Filipinos to set aside their differences and to unite against the threats confronting the country.

 

“Our sovereignty is being confronted and I believe it’s time to set aside petty politics and the things that separate us. It’s really high time and I believe it’s a call to the Filipino nation to be able to stand together as one. It’s high time we do that,” he said.

 

Padilla said it is more important to respond to the problems posed by the terrorists than to engage in a blame game.

 

Malacañang, for its part, welcomed the filing of the Tindig Marawi Bill, which aims to allot a P10-billion supplemental budget to help communities affected by the crisis, repair damaged infrastructure and properties and assist affected businesses.

 

“Congress has proposed a 10-billion supplemental budget to rebuild Marawi through House Bill 5874 or the Tindig Marawi Bill. It is therefore a very welcome development and this complements an executive order for Bangon Marawi which is awaiting (the president’s) approval,” Abella said.

 

The Bangon Marawi rehabilitation plan also aims to allot P10 billion to rebuild the city.