OUR good President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has been quoted repeatedly as waxing antagonistic against American forces' presence in our country, foremost of which was the recently-concluded Balikatan exercises.
The President has criticized harshly America's top leaders even cursing them and setting them aside.
Now that we are faced with the continuing battle with terrorists and rebel groups, we cannot say no to the help and assistance being proffered by the Americans.
So it's now official: US forces join Philippine troops to end the siege in Marawi City which was taken by hundreds of IS-inspired terrorist group, Maute and sympathizers from BIFF and perhaps other private armed groups and even foreign countries like Indonesia and from the Middle East.
The US assistance was tempered into technical and information sharing, as claimed by the Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesman, Brigadier General Restituto Padilla.
The US Embassy statement released recently thus far states: At the request of the government of the Philippines, US special operations forces are assisting the AFP with ongoing operations in Marawi that help AFP commanders on the ground in their fight against Maute and Abu Sayyaf militants.
So, we requested US assistance, period. Is this a case of hele hele, bago quiere?
*****
After the skirmishes and clearing operations, the Philippine military authorities are faced with a much bigger tasks- that of rebuilding and reconstructing Marawi City which suffered destroyed buildings and vital infrastructure due to the airstrikes and fire fighting between government forces and the militants. Then, former Marawi residents can finally settle down in their homes.
Malacañang has announced a P10 billion fund to rebuild war-damaged Marawi City. The recovery, reconstruction and rehabilitation program will be handled by several government agencies.
*****
The loss of lives of several Army troopers has cast a pall of gloom on their families which cannot be assuaged merely by citations of bravery and modest financial assistance.
Their heroism should forever be rekindled in the hearts of Filipinos, if only to repay them for their sacrifices, all for the love of country.
