President Duterte set to visit Basilan today(July 20)

by Rene V. Carbayas

ISABELA CITY, Basilan – President Rodrigo R. Duterte is expected to visit Basilan today to meet with local chief executives and the government’s armed forces.

This is his first visit in the region as President of the Philippines.

During the media briefing at the Western Mindanao Command, officials only provided some details of his visit and where media could have the opportunity to do coverage.

The President is set to arrive at the 104^th Brigade Headquarters of the Philippine Army in Basilan by past noon on July 21 to meet with officials of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police.

He will talk briefly with the men and women troops of the AFP and later hold a meeting with the local chief executives.

The President is expected to be briefed with some updates on the ongoing law enforcement operations versus the Abu Sayyaf in Tipo-Tipo, south of Basilan.

Over four thousand internally displaced people have fled their homes in Tipo-Tipo and nearby municipalities affected by the ongoing military operation.

He will also receive updates from the PNP on the “TokHang” anti-drug abuse campaign.

According to the provincial police, data is still incomplete as to the total number of persons who surrendered or turned themselves in, but estimated that close to a thousand have already been documented by local police units in the province.