By Dominic I. Sanchez
ZAMBOANGA CITY – President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on
Thursday (July 21) told government troops at the Western Mindanao Command
(Wesmincom) that he will “protect” them as long as they are committed in
performing their tasks particularly in protecting the city and the neighboring
areas in the Zamboanga Peninsula.
“Hindi ko kayo pababayaan,” said President Duterte to troops gathered at
the Wesmincom Gym Thursday past 6 in the evening.
Currently, the AFP is relentless in its operations against the Abu
Sayyaf Group (ASG) in Basilan and Jolo provinces.
The President urged the members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines
(AFP) here to remain committed and support the government. “Do your duty not
for me but for the love of your country,” he said.
At noon Thursday, President Duterte arrived at Edwin Andrews
Air Base (EAAB) Zamboanga City and met with Mayor Beng Climaco-Salazar briefly
prior to his departure for Isabela City, Basilan.
With the President were Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, AFP Chief of
Staff Gen. Ricardo Visaya, Wesmincom commander Gen. Mayoralgo de la Cruz, and
other high-ranking military officials.
According to Mayor Climaco-Salazar, President Duterte discussed security
matters and other city concerns. “The President has ordered the military and
police to reinforce security measures in Zamboanga City amidst the diverse
challenges besetting the city and the neighboring areas,” the mayor said.
President Duterte arrived in Isabela City to visit the 104th Brigade
of the Philippine Army at around 2 in the afternoon where he met with military
and police officials, and local government officials including Autonomous
Region for Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Governor Mujiv Hataman.
The President also met with internally-displaced persons (IDPs) due to
the on-going military operations against the ASG.
He arrived at the Wesmincom around
4 in the afternoon, and met with AFP and PNP officials for a 2-hour closed-door
security conference. Also in the conference was Congressman Celso Lobregat.
President Duterte
left Wesmincom for EAAB at around 7 in the evening for his flight to Davao
City.
