‘Marawi cleared of bombs in 2 weeks’

MANILA, Philippines — Marawi’s ground zero is expected to be cleared of bombs in the next two weeks, according to Task Force Bangon Marawi chief Roberto del Rosario.

Del Rosario, concurrent chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council, said the rehabilitation of Marawi is on track.

“This month, the most affected area will be cleared of bombs. We will request the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) to declare it safe from the danger of bombs,” Del Rosario said.

By Nov. 30, he said debris throughout the city would be cleared to pave the way for the construction of government infrastructure projects.

He said construction is expected to start at the latest by December.

“With this development, we can say that the completion of the rehabilitation will be finished by December 2021,”  Del Rosario said.

At a peace forum at the Mindanao State University, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Carlito Galvez Jr. stressed the need for dialogues to resolve the issues that the people of Marawi face as they try to rebuild their lives.

Galvez also called on residents to do their part to help in the rehabilitation of the city.

“Let us open our hearts and minds and listen to each other, “ he said.

Del Rosario and Galvez led the commemoration of the second anniversary of the liberation of Marawi on Thursday, which was also attended by military and local government officials.

“This is the time to remember their names one by one. I remember the time how they fought and how they died,“ Galvez said, referring to more than 100 soldiers in the fighting.