BACOLOD City officials laud President Rodrigo Duterte’s move of visiting soldiers deployed in Marawi City to fight the Maute terrorists.
Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran said Friday, July 21, the presence of the President in the warzone on Thursday could boost the morale of the soldiers.
“Our President is like a jewel. We want to keep him always safe, but then he went in the area,” he said.
Familiaran added that Duterte’s visit could also strengthen the confidence of the soldiers.
Councilor Caesar Distrito said that although President Duterte’s presence has long been awaited and expected by the troops, it is still a morale boosting for them to see the commander-in-chief on the ground.
The President also saw and experienced directly what happened in Marawi, the councilor said. “As they say, better late than never at all,” he added.
Councilor Wilson Gamboa said that Duterte, aside from being the President, also exercised his function and power as the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
He said the presence of the President means so much to the soldiers and boosted their morale in protecting the country and the people.
“His presence would also mean that he sympathizes with the people of Marawi,” Gamboa added.
After several attempts, the President was finally able to visit Marawi almost two months after the start of the atrocities in Marawi.
