OPENING STATEMENTS:

MS. JOCSON: Good morning, Rocky. Good morning, Malacañang Press Corps.

To give us updates on the Marawi situation, we have AFP Spokesperson Major General Restituto Padilla, Jr. and Asec. Kristoffer James Purisima, spokesperson of Task Force Bangon Marawi.

Ladies and gentlemen of the Malacañang Press Corps, let us all give a warm welcome to Major General Resty Padilla and Asec. Toby Purisima. General…

MAJ. GEN. PADILLA: So thank you very much. At the outset, allow me to announce that the previous setup in Marawi has been changed.

The Joint Task Force Marawi has been dissolved and the Joint Task Force Marawi will now be replaced through the elevation of Joint Task Group Ranao, which will now be called the Joint Task Force Ranao.

So Joint Task Force Ranao will now take the place of Joint Task Force Marawi. So how does that work?

Previously, our setup was the overall Joint Task Force was Marawi and it included all the joint task groups. ‘Yung task groups po, mas mababa ‘yan eh kaysa sa task force. Mas malaki po ‘yung task force.

Now that the Joint Task Force Marawi, the mission of which has been accomplished, which is to liberate Marawi itself, dissolved na po ito. At pumapasok na tayo ngayon sa isang full blown na rehabilitation, reconstruction at rebuilding ng Marawi and our long road to normalcy of the city.

So since the mission of Joint Task Force Marawi has been accomplished and the rehabilitation, rebuilding, and reconstruction of Marawi is now taking place full force, Joint Task Group Ranao is now elevated to a Joint Task Force.

So Ranao under Brig. Gen. Roseller Murillo, the head of the 1st Infantry Division located in Pagadian and previously headed by now the Commanding General of the Army, Lt. Gen. Bautista, is taking over everything in Marawi itself.

And under Joint Task Force Ranao will be three big composite engineering battalions coming from the Army, the Air Force, and the Navy that will be the steady partners of our other agencies who are tasked to help in the road back to normalcy and in the rebuilding, rehabilitation and reconstruction of the city.

So please refer now to this organization for any questions regarding any issues about Marawi and the rehabilitation that will take place.

The good news there is that there won’t be any new faces. The deputy of Joint Task Force Ranao will still be Col. Brawner, and he will still stand as the spokesperson for this Task Force.

So you may refer to him matters that will be related to the road to normalcy of Marawi in the next few days, weeks and months.

So I will answer questions later after this and as to the other efforts that are still being conducted inside Marawi itself, we are still on the process of clearing the city and the main battle area of whatever remaining unexploded ordnance, IEDs and booby traps that may still be in the area.

And until such time that our troops who are doing all of these efforts are confident that not a single unexploded bomb, ordnance or any IED is in the area will we declare it safe for return or the visits of the residents of the city itself.

The task also of gathering or locating cadavers is also part of that effort. So hindi pa po tayo tapos diyan. But the city itself and its officials are on the process of a cleanup of other areas not really in the battleground itself for the moment.

So if the roadways are cleared later on, it will be because Joint Task Force Ranao has opened up the inner battle areas, roadways for cleanup. But the buildings itself will remain to be… as a matter of clearing — subject of clearing of our troops.

So that is all I have for you at the moment and I’ll turn over now to Asec. Toby for the bigger task of the rehab under Joint Task Force Bangon Marawi.

ASEC. PURISIMA: Thank you. Good morning, Malacañang Press Corps. Here are the updates from your Task Force Bangon Marawi.

The Damages and Losses Assessment under the Comprehensive Post-Conflict Needs Assessment has been completed in Clusters 1 to 10 composed of 49 barangays.

Consolidation of findings and observations on the assessment is ongoing and shall be presented soon.

For the remaining barangays in the main battle area, we are awaiting for the conclusion of the clearing operations to be determined by the AFP.

The return of IDPs from 9 barangays in Marawi City has started. This involves 6,463 IDPs.

To ensure that the returning IDPs are legitimate Marawi City residents, ID cards are being issued by their respective barangays based on available data.

Restoration of basic facilities and services is ongoing through the local government of Marawi City.

To date, more than 50 percent of the outlined barangays has been energized by the Lanao del Sur Electric Cooperative or LASURECO.

Yesterday, 26 October, the Marawi City local government unit conducted a peace caravan.

Activities included the restoration of power and water supplies, house cleanup and barangay peace action teams deployed in Barangay Basak Malutlut, Marawi City, where residents will return on October 29, Sunday.

This barangay is the first barangay where Marawi residents may return and only two members per family shall be allowed to enter the barangay for the cleanup.

On foreign donations, assistance from the governments of Canada, China, Germany, Korea, India, Thailand and Singapore as well as from the AHA Centre and USAID were received for the early recovery and rehabilitation efforts in Marawi City and other affected areas.

The details shall be provided soonest as the financial and resource management support group is firming up the details and commitments.

Meanwhile, we received additional pledges from USAID, ADB, EU, World Bank, UNDP, including from the governments of Australia and Japan.

On the initial 5 billion, it will be allocated for the early recovery phase in Marawi City. Of this amount, an estimate of 3.4 billion shall be utilized for health and social services.

This includes the continuous distribution of relief for our IDPs and other basic services such as water, sanitation and hygiene services, or what we call as WASH, including mental health and psychosocial services, and medical and nutritional services.

Also, a part of this fund will be allocated for the ongoing construction of transitional shelters for our IDPs.

Task Force Bangon Marawi shall continue to provide updates to the public consistent with its commitment to transparency.

We shall continue to strengthen our efforts in consultation with various stakeholders towards a better Marawi City. That’s all from my office. Thank you.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS:

Rose Novenario (Hataw): Good morning, sir. Sir, sa peace caravan po kahapon, may mga lumahok po bang IDPs?

ASEC. PURISIMA: Meron.

Ms. Novenario: Ano po ‘yung initial reaction nila nung nakita nila ‘yung damage po na nangyari sa Marawi crisis doon po sa lugar na inikutan ninyo?

ASEC. PURISIMA: Sa pagkakaintindi natin, ‘yung mga outlined barangays kasi na pinuntahan ng peace caravan, relatively slight or minor ‘yung damages dito.

So may mga naobserbahan na, syempre may mga damaged structures, merong mga looting na nangyari as previously observed ‘no.

Pero dito minimal ‘yung damage kaya sila ngayon, nililinis na nila ang kanilang kabahayan o ‘yung kanilang mga properties.

Ang… sa pagkakaintindi natin, as the clearing operations are concluded by the AFP, mas makakapasok na tayo doon sa heavily damaged area. At doon natin ineexpect na mas — siyempre pagdating doon, pagpunta doon ng ating mga IDPs ay lubha silang malulungkot dahil nga sa sitwasyon doon sa main battle area.

But in the other barangays, in the outlying barangays, ito naman may clearance na at pwede na silang bumalik as early as Sunday.

At ‘yun nga, nine barangays na ang identified at dadami pa ito pagkatapos ng coordination natin, additional coordination with the AFP and the local government.

Ms. Novenario: Ano po ‘yung gagawin nila initially ‘pag naka-balik sila doon sa mga lugar nila? Eh hindi naman po nila pwedeng tirhan ‘yun dahil may temporary shelters po ang gobyerno para sa kanila. Ano po ‘yung gagawin nila doon ‘pag nagpunta sila?

ASEC. PURISIMA: Well, pagbalik nila doon, we will attempt to establish, to get back to normalcy ‘no. ‘Yung mga barangays na identified.

Ibabalik natin ang basic social services doon. Ilaw, kuryente, health services, including learning centers for our learners ‘no, for our students.

Ibabalik natin ‘yung normalcy nitong mga outlying barangays. At patuloy rin ang business interventions natin.

‘Yung mga transitional shelters, are identified na rin diyan ‘yung prioritization ng makukuha — ng mabibigyan nitong transitional shelters.

Dahil itong 14-hectare area natin sa Barangay Sagonsongan. This can accommodate around 1,100 to 1,500 transitional shelters.

At ito ay ilalaan para doon sa mas nasiraan na mga IDPs natin.

‘Yung mga may babalikang mga tahanan sa outlying areas, hindi sila ‘yung mabibigyan ng transitional shelters.

Dahil ‘yung transitional shelters, ibibigay doon sa mga wala pang mababalikan o baka wala nang mabalikan. That is of course pending the permanent shelters at ‘yung rebuilding ng Marawi.

Deo de Guzman (RMN-DZXL): To General Padilla po. Good morning, sir. Sir, sa bakbakan po sa Marawi, halos limang buwan po itong nagpatuloy. Ano po ang mga natutunan ng AFP mainly doon sa naging battle with the terrorists?

MAJ. GEN. PADILLA: Kasalukuyan natin dino-document ngayon lahat ng mga maaring mapulot na aral dito.

Pero at the outset alam naman natin at nabanggit na rin natin ang… at na-i-discuss na rin sa inyo marahil nila General Bautista at nila General Galvez nitong mga nakaraang mga buwan ‘yung hirap ng ating sundalo sa ganitong klaseng terrain. Ang tinatawag na urban terrain.

At ito ‘yung loob ng mga siyudad, mga bahayan, at mga built up structures. So iba ‘yung klase ng labanan sa lugar na ganito.

Dahil bihasa at sanay ang karamihan sa ating kasundaluhan sa bakbakan sa loob ng gubat at sa mga katulad na lugar.

Pero nung tayo’y nagsipasok sa ganitong klaseng pagkakataon ng bakbakan, ‘yung karamihan sa ating mga kasundaluhan ay hindi ganap na handa.

So although meron namang orientation at meron namang konting training ang ating karamihan ng sundalo, bibihira at maliit lang ‘yung puwersa natin na talagang ganap na handa sa ganitong mga pagkakataon.

Ito ‘yung mga units natin for anti-terrorism, for counter-terrorism. Talagang ‘yan ang kanilang araw-araw na pinaghahandaan at pinagte-trainingan (training).

So ‘yun ‘yung mga ginagawa natin ngayong angkop ng koreksyon sa ating training.

Kaya nga po’t kamakailan, sa mabuting mapalad, inanunsyo na rin ng ministro ng… Defense Minister ng Australia na sila’y nag-lean forward upang tumulong dito sa kakulangan ng ating mga puwersa ng training sa tinatawag na MOUT.

Ang ibig sabihin po niyan ay Military Operation in Urban Terrain. At sa kasalukuyan, nagsasagawa na po tayo ng training para sa isang battalion.

At ang tumutulong po sa atin dito ay ang Australia. Ganun din po ang Estados Unidos. Nagtanong na rin po sila kung anong pangangailangan natin.

At pinagtutulungan po natin ngayon ito na gawin. Para sa mga susunod na mga buwan, sa mga magiging exercises natin ay magiging parte ito ng mga gagawin nating bilateral training events.

At iyon ay upang mabigyan natin ng kapasidad at kahandaan lahat ng ating mga tropa na lumaban sa ganitong klaseng pagkakataon. ‘Yung mga sa loob ng siyudad.

So ‘yan ang magpapatuloy hanggang kampante tayo at ganap tayong makakasigurado na ‘yung kakayahan natin upang tugunan ang isa na namang katulad nito na ayaw na nating mangyari ay ganap na handa. So that will be an ongoing event.

So also on the sideline of many of the consultations following the ASEAN Defense Ministers meetings were also similar offers from other countries.

Mr. de Guzman: Sir, you said bilateral training events. Which particular country po ‘yung pinatutungkulan niyo?

MAJ. GEN. PADILLA: Well, our most frequent and most numerous bilateral training events are still with our main ally, the US. But we are getting also assistance now with Australia and offers from other countries like China, Russia, and others.

So I am not yet at liberty to discuss the details of this but we will work on it.

But principally, ‘yung ating karamihan ng ating mga training events ay nasa pinaka-main ally natin,m ang Estados Unidos. At ngayon, Australia, dahil meron na tayong SOVFA sa kanila.

Mr. de Guzman: Thank you, sir.

Pia Ranada (Rappler): This is for Asec. Purisima. Sir, you mentioned ‘yung foreign assistance. The first list, ‘yung Canada, China, Germany, Korea, this is what’s been given already. Tama po ba?

ASEC. PURISIMA: Yes.

Ms. Ranada: So we’re already using the resources?

ASEC. PURISIMA: These are already documented and we’re allocating them properly ‘no. So dini-discuss ‘yan sa finance and resource mobilization support group para ‘yung resource allocation natin ay appropriate because we will also match these donations with the needs on the ground.

Ms. Ranada: All right. And, sir, the second list you showed, you said foreign pledge. So these are aid that has been offered? Are we already sure of accepting all of them?

ASEC. PURISIMA: We’re studying, we’re studying this within the framework of the task force and under the finance and resource mobilization because that’s the agreement among the agencies of the task force that any pledge or any aid that we are receive or may mga offers ng donations, idadaan lahat ‘yan sa task force.

Individually, if there are organizations or countries that approach specific agencies, the agreement is that, that agency would have to disclose that to the task force and the task force will discuss whether to accept it.

And initial discussions will be done in that support group, the finance and resource mobilization, which is headed by NEDA, DOF, and DBM.

Ms. Ranada: What are the main considerations for whether or not to accept an aid that has been offered?

ASEC. PURISIMA: Well, first of all, of course, the need and the kind of aid that will be given ‘no. And of course, the policy direction. We understand that there are certain pronouncements made by the President regarding certain manners ‘no.

And we will… of course we’re duty-bound to follow those policies. But these are going to be evaluated in that support group. And we will periodically release information as to which donations we’ve accepted.

Ms. Ranada: And sir, ‘yung EU aid, may we know what kind of aid they have offered?

ASEC. PURISIMA: I have no information on that.

Ms. Ranada: Ah, kung monetary or in kind?

ASEC. PURISIMA: I have no information on that.

Joseph Morong (GMA): Kay General Padilla. Sir, may video — Hi, sir.

MAJ. GEN. PADILLA: Yeah. Oh, GMA. Yes, I…

Mr. Morong: Sir, may binabasa ka, importante? Pa-share.

MAJ. GEN. PADILLA: No, no.

Mr. Morong: Sir, may video yesterday na nakuha ‘yung team namin na binubugbog ‘yung isang tao. Have you… Has the AFP seen it?

MAJ. GEN. PADILLA: Yes, I’ve seen it. I’ve seen it. Yes.

Mr. Morong: Okay. And you’re findings? Is this real video…

MAJ. GEN. PADILLA: Okay. Thank you for the question. In fact, this came out as a surprise and I think it came out last night’s news with a report from Jun Veneracion because of the feed of some social media videos that were circling around.

‘Yung… Para maintindihan po ng lahat. Kung hindi niyo nakita itong video. Pinapakita po doon ‘yung isang nahuli o nag-surrender na rebelde o terorista sa loob ng main battle area.

Siya po’y naka-underwear lang. At ‘yun po kasi ang protocol natin para sigurado na kung sino man ‘yung lumalabas sa may main battle area ay walang dalang paputok o pasabog o IED kung sakaling may suicide target sila.

So nung siya po ay naka — hindi po naka-posas ‘yung kamay ha. Nakataas lang ang kamay at pinapaligiran po siya ng mga malamang mga sundalo po natin at kinukutya po siya.

Tapos naka-ganun lang ang kamay. Tapos may nambabatok, may naninipa. Pero hindi naman ho bugbog tulad ng mga binalita.

So he was being taunted and some could not hide their emotions perhaps because he was believed to be part of the enemy who killed some of our soldiers.

And we’re not sure yet when and how this came out. But and when it was taken. But what is certain there is we will need to launch an investigation to ascertain the veracity of this video, as well as ascertain who are involved.

The Armed Forces is very strict regarding the treatment of captives in a conflict situation. They are supposed to be decently treated and respected, and… which did not happen in this case.

So ang pakiwari namin dito, ito po’y isang video na maaring nakunan na rin ng isa doon sa mga nasa paligid na maaring ishinare (share) sa mga kasamahan niya. At ngayon ay nakarating sa iilan, na naging concerned na ibinigay sa media.

Ang punto po dito. Hindi po natin itinatago ito at hinaharap po natin ng may mariing paniniwala na may paglabag dito na nangyari. Kaya ‘yun po ang pinagtutuunan natin ng pansin.

Ito po ay isang isolated case. Nakita niyo naman po sa tagal ng panahon na nandiyan po sa bakbakan ang ating kasundaluhan, maayos po na napamunuan ng ating mga liderato sa ating mga units diyan ang kanilang mga kasamahan.

At nakikita rin po natin maliwanag doon sa video na marami rin po na mga kasamahang sundalo doon kung ito man ay mapa-totoohanan na gawa sa… galing sa atin na pumipigil sa kanilang kasamahan at inaawat ‘yung mga nandun na nangungutya, nambabatok at naninipa.

So contrary to the initial news na binugbog, hindi naman po lumabas na ganun doon sa video.

So maaring nakuha lang at pinosasan siya at habang ‘yung iba ay lumapit, nambabatok at nanununtok at naninipa.

So hindi po tama ‘yun at aalamin po natin ito. So an investigation has been launched. Our personnel on the ground are advised about the possibility of where this came from and we will ascertain.

Once we have any result, we will share this with you and definitely, those responsible will be held accountable.

Ang pakiusap lang po natin, kailangan maintindihan po natin sa mga pagkakataong ganito, mataas po ang emosyon at hindi natin ganap na alam kung kailan ito kinunan.

Kaya kung sakaling ito ay isang nakunan na pagkakataon matapos ng isang engkwentro na kung saan na-recover natin ang katawan ng ating mga sundalo na sinunog, napugutan ng ulo, maiintindihan po natin talaga na dahil kasamahan natin ito na nilabag ‘yung kanyang pagkatao ay mataas ang emosyon at ang kagustuhan na makabawi.

So intindihin po sana natin. At kung sana meron kayong mga ganitong mga hawak ngayon na mga video, i-delete na lang po natin at ‘wag na natin ipasa.

Ang mas malaki pong implikasyon nito ay maaring gamitin ito sa propaganda ng kalaban. ‘Yung propaganda na ‘yun ay para himukin ang iba na, “nakita niyo ganito, tinatrato ‘yung kasamahan niyo. Labanan niyo uli ang mga dapat labanan.”

So hindi po natin gusto mangyari ‘yan. At makakatulong ang bawat mamamayan sa mga pagkakataong ito sa pag-delete ng mga video na ‘to at ‘wag niyo na po ipasa. Salamat.

Mr. Morong: Sir, if ayaw niyo gamitin ‘yung term na binugbog. How would you describe the actions that was seen in the video?

MAJ. GEN. PADILLA: Well, it was still a violation of the right of the individual because there were attempts to really hurt him.

So ‘yung kanyang mga pambabatok, ‘yung paninipa, ‘yung pagsakit sa kanya, hindi ho tama ‘yun.

Mr. Morong: Sir, at this point, we don’t know yet if number 1, that is an alleged Maute member? ‘Cause you’re still launching an investigation.

MAJ. GEN. PADILLA: Yes, we’re still investigating. We will look into it with a very clear objective of ascertaining who are responsible.

Mr. Morong: But you can say that it is from the MBA?

MAJ. GEN. PADILLA: That’s something that we will find out.

Mr. Morong: Still?

MAJ. GEN. PADILLA: It looks like it is. But I cannot with finality and categorically state that is because we must make way for the investigation to ascertain that.

Mr. Morong: Alright. Thank you.

Ina Andolong (CNN Philippines): For Asec. Toby, sir. Sir, can you give us an update on the status of the P49-million pledged assistance from the EU? They announced it last July pa po. It’s not in the list of pledged foreign assistance that you presented earlier.

ASEC. PURISIMA: I’d have to check on that ma’am. There’s no feedback yet from the support group as to whether that was already valuated or going to be accepted. So we will update you on that.

Ms. Andolong: But it’s not at all in the second list, which is supposedly, as you mentioned, those are the ones still being considered or…

ASEC. PURISIMA: Yes, well, everything is being considered now. Kasi lahat ng mga nag-announce that they will pledge, of course, we also monitor their announcements. We will check on those.

Ms. Andolong: So bakit wala dun sa list, sir?

ASEC. PURISIMA: Well, I may have already mentioned it previously, but there’s no action yet on it from what I understand.

Ms. Andolong: So, can we say or still not assume that, considering the President’s pronouncements regarding accepting aid from EU, that it will not be accepted anymore? Final na po ba ‘yung decision?

ASEC. PURISIMA: Well, there’s no decision on that yet. But we are aware of the pronouncements of our President. And this has been taken into consideration in the decisions that’s going to be made — that will be made by the Task Force.

Ms. Andolong: Okay. Sir, during “Yolanda,” the government officials back then put up an online portal to monitor the use of foreign aid that came in. Will you be setting up a similar system? How will — how can the public monitor the use of these funds?

ASEC. PURISIMA: First, we will release periodic reports. I also mentioned them in my briefings. And we’re considering including that online portal or an online updating system. Or we can post it in our social media sites, you know, just to be transparent.

And that is what we commit to our stakeholders, both private and public, that we will be transparent and accountable as to the donations we receive or the pledges we accept, and moving forward, the costs that we will incur in the rebuilding, rehabilitation, and recovery of Marawi.

Ms. Novenario: Good morning, General Padilla, sir.

MAJ. GEN. PADILLA: Yes, Rose? Hi.

Ms. Novenario: Good morning po. Sir, may — sa speech po kagabi ni Presidente, meron po siyang binanggit na may posibilidad ng lone wolf attacks matapos po itong Marawi crisis. Paano po natin paghahandaan ‘yung ganitong uri ng pag-atake ng mga solong terorista po, hindi po ‘yung kasama sa pack?

MAJ. GEN. PADILLA: Thank you, Rose. Unang una, hindi po natin itinatago. Tama po si Presidente. Posi — may posibilidad at malaki ang pagkakataon na may mga ganitong kaganapan na mangyayari.

Kaya nga po kung maalala niyo, noong mga nakaraang linggo, ang paksa ng ating sinasabi para sa impormasyon ng publiko, ay ang kanilang partisipasyon sa pagkakaroon ng pagbabantay sa ating mga komunidad, sa ating mga kinaroroonan.

‘Yun ‘yung panawagan natin na sana isulong natin ‘yung konsepto ng shared responsibility in security, na paulit-ulit nating sinasabi noong araw pa.

At ‘yung konsepto na ito, ang malaking bahagi nito ay ‘yung partisipasyon ng bawat mamamayan sa bawat sulok ng kapuluan na maging alerto, maging vigilant, maging mapagmasid sa kanilang kapaligiran.

Kasi alam naman natin at batid natin diba, noon sinasabi natin ‘yung bilang ng ating pulis, mga sundalo, mga iba pang nakatalaga upang magbantay ay hindi ganun kalakihan. Hindi sila ganap na malaki. At hindi nila mababantayan ang bawat sulok.

Hindi katulad ng involvement o partisipasyon ng mahigit isang-daang milyong Pilipino. Kung lahat ng baw — kung ang bawat mamamayan natin, maging matanda, bata, babae, lalaki, ay conscious o alam nila ‘yung kanilang kinakailangang gawin upang mabantayan ang kanilang seguridad sa kanilang kinaroroonan, mas magiging laganap at magiging maigting at matibay itong pagbabantay na kailangang isagawa natin.

So, that was the concept that we were pushing ever since we knew that these kinds of threats are around. And we can only prevent these kinds of attacks if every citizen will do their part.

So, kaya natin pinananawagan sa lahat na hindi po natatapos ang laban sa pagtatapos ng laban sa Marawi, sa laban sa terorismo. ‘Yan po ay nagsisimula pa lang. At ang lalabanan po natin talaga dito ay ‘yung mga ganitong pagkakataon ng lone wolf attacks.

So, mainam po, at binanggit po ng mahal na Pangulo ito, dahil mas maganda po kung bawat Pilipino ay talagang conscious dito sa mga pangyayaring ito at mapagbantayan o papag-iingatan natin.

Ms. Novenario: Sir, ano po ‘yung maipapayo niyo sa mga kabataan na hooked sa ano — online gaming or sa… Kasi ‘yung iba pong lone wolf sa ibang bansa eh online radicalist lang po sila.

MAJ. GEN. PADILLA: Unang una, ang ating mga kinahaharap na mga banta ngayon ay matuturing nating net-savvy, o napakagaling sa paggamit ng internet at social media.

Kaya ang atin pong babala para sa ating mga kabataan ay mag-iingat. At ‘pag may ganitong klaseng mga kumo-contact sa kanila, na hinihimok sila na ganito ang pag-iisip na dapat isulong o ganito ang gawain na dapat isulong, huwag na nilang ituloy.

Putulin na kaagad nila ang kanilang contact sa mga individual na ito at ipagbigay-alam nila sa mga awtoridad o sa kanilang mga magulang.

At ang mga magulang nila ay ang siyang dapat makipag-ugnayan sa ating kapulisan, sa ating NBI, upang matukoy ito at maaresto kung sino man ‘yung mga behind dun sa mga pagtatangkang mag-recruit ng kabataan na ‘yun.

So, ang vulnerable sector po natin dito ay ‘yung mga bata. Kasi murang edad — sa murang edad, mas madali silang mailagay o makumbinsi na gawin ang iba’t ibang bagay.

So this is a warning to parents and also an appeal to our communities at large that in the fight against terrorism, particularly in the attempt to poison the minds of our young, the role of the family is very important. And the role of the family must be emphasized.

Kasi, hindi naman po pwedeng bantayan ng pamahalaan ang bawat bata. Ang dapat po nagbabantay sa kanila at humuhubog sa kanilang pag-iisip ay ‘yung mga magulang.

Mr. de Guzman: Sir, related to my question days before. Napag-usapan na po ba ‘yung possible extension ng martial law?

MAJ. GEN. PADILLA: I am not aware of any discussions on the extension, except that the military, katulad na rin ng binanggit ng ating bagong talagang Chief of Staff, is to work on the programs that we have right now. I-push lang ‘yung kailangan nating gawin na mga programa na pinatutupad din nung panahon ni General Año, ang ating recently — recent Chief of Staff.

So, si Chief of Staff ngayon, si General Guerrero, ganun din ang kanyang marching order sa lahat ng ating mga tropa sa buong Hukbong Sandatahan na ipagpatuloy itong mga programang ito.

At ‘yung programa na ‘yun is to address the threats, the immediate threats that we face. And the most immediate threats are the threats coming from terrorists in many parts of Mindanao, which is the subject of the martial law declaration.

So hindi pa po natin ganap na naa-address itong mga networks, itong mga cell, itong mga connections nila diyan sa may Mindanao na ngayon ay isinasagawa natin.

So we will work on the timeframe of having martial law until the end of the year. And there will be discussions in the Cabinet Cluster on Security regarding its extension if there’s a need for it. And even the National Security Adviser, I think, also made mention of this.

Mr. de Guzman: Yes sir. Can we — can you give us an update po doon sa arrest order na nilabas ng Secretary of Defense. Meron na po bang nadagdag na mga naaresto? Meron po ba tayong — any update po?

MAJ. GEN. PADILLA: Yes. The most recent updates regarding the arrest orders issued by the martial law administrator, who happens to be the Secretary of National Defense, is the recent arrest of financiers of the Maute group.

So, meron nang naaresto na isang binibini. At ngayong nakaraang araw ay merong naaresto, isang lalaki — isang male individual, and let me just pull out the name of this… I was asked this ‘no. And the name was Malawani — Radsy Malawani, if I am not mistaken.

Yes, it was… Novaliches, yes. So, this was the — this person was the subject of — ‘yung place niya was the subject of a search warrant. And the previous one arrested before this was the subject — he was part of the arrest order issued by the martial law administrator.

So patuloy ang ating ginagawang pagbabantay kasi out of the names indicated in the arrest order, which all — which is almost about 300, if I’m not mistaken, there were only about a hundred, most likely more than a hundred who were arrested.

So a big part of that list still remains at large. So remember, they still remain at large. So they still pose a threat.

And related to the question of Rose a while ago, ‘yung katanungan ni Rose, kung atin pong pag-uugnayin at bubuuin ‘yung kwento dito, ‘yung mga pangalan na nariyan sa mga arrest order na ‘yan dahil sila’y at large, sila’y mga banta. At sila’y maaaring pagmulan ng mga tinatawag ni Rose na — at ng mahal na Pangulo na lone wolf attacks.

So that is why it is very important and it is critical — napakaimportante po ‘yung samahan natin dito bilang isang bansa.

Kailangang magkaisa tayo, kasi hindi biro ang banta ng terorismo. Maswerte tayo ngayon, wala pang nangyayari tulad ng nangyari sa Gitnang Silangan at sa Europa dito sa ating bansa.

Dahil, sa palagay namin, mainam na nagtutulungan ang bawat Pilipino. So kung tayo’y magkakaisa dito sa bagay na ito, malayo ang mararating natin upang bantayan ang ating bansa laban sa banta ng terorismo.

Mr. de Guzman: Sir, last question from my side. Sinabi niyo po nasa hundred plus ‘yung naaresto. ‘Yun po bang natitira…

MAJ. GEN. PADILLA: One hundred plus arrested and about 60 plus only prosecute — or filed cases in the court.

Mr. de Guzman: ‘Yun pong remaining, nasa Mindanao pa po ba sila or nakaalis na…

MAJ. GEN. PADILLA: Subject ‘yan ng investigation at monitoring. At tulad ng ating mga naging aresto nitong mga huling linggo at araw, dalawa pa lang ‘yung na-locate. So, maaaring nasa Maynila ‘yung karamihan, sa Bisaya, o sa Mindanao.

So hindi natin alam. Kaya nga binabantayan natin at mino-monitor natin at patuloy ang imbestigasyon.

Mr. de Guzman: Thank you, sir.

Hannah Sancho (SMNI): Good morning, sir. General Padilla?

MAJ. GEN. PADILLA: Yes, ma’am?

Ms. Sancho: Sir, ‘yung directive yesterday ni Pangulong Duterte na ipinapasira niya lahat ng mga high-powered firearms, paano po ‘yung process nito, sir? Kailan po ito mangyayari?

MAJ. GEN. PADILLA: Nabanggit ng ating mahal na Pangulo ‘yung pagnanais na sirain na lahat ng armas diyan, kasi ‘yan ay simbolo ng mga teroristang nagsi-atake at hindi maganda kung mahulog uli ‘yan sa kamay ng masasamang tao.

So meron tayong proseso na sinusunod na tinatawag nating demiling, o demilitarization of military equipment. Ang kadalasang procedure dito ay nasa ilalim po ng Ordnance Service natin ‘no?

At ang procedure po diyan ay may mga kagamitan po tayo na kung saan ididistrungka natin itong mga kagamitan na ‘to, tapos puputol-putulin. So — at susunugin kung kinakailangan.

Kasi, matitibay po ito eh, mga bakal eh. At ‘yung mga bagay na hindi naman ganun katigas, maaaring daanan ng pison para mapisa at madurog. Pero ‘yung mga bakal, pinuputol po ‘yan. They are cut into pieces, and once they are cut into pieces, there’s a possibility of them being burned or recycled for use, because they are metals.

So ‘yun ‘yung procedure na ‘yun. At ang napag… Ayon kay Chief of Staff, kay General Guerrero, mukhang ang kagustuhan ng Pangulo ay magkaroon ng seremonyas para dito, at kasama na naman kayong mga media syempre, upang mag-document niyan.

Ms. Sancho: Kailan, sir?

MAJ. GEN. PADILLA: Ang petsa lang ay hindi ko pa masabi dahil ‘yun nga. ‘Yung proseso ng demiling ay kinakailangang paglaanan ng panahon. So, hindi biro na… Kung gusto niyo mag-share, bibigyan namin kayo ng hacksaw blade, putulin natin. Pero matagal po ‘yun. So — biro lang po.

So anyway, we are going to set that date once the demiling procedure has been started and begun, and once it has been completed, a ceremonial event will be conducted with no less than the Commander-in-Chief present.

Rocky Ignacio (PTV): Last question po, galing kay Tina Mendez. To Spox — ah, to General Padilla, can you confirm na daw po the recovery of Malaysian militant Mahmud Ahmad’s body, as reported today? And paano daw po popondohan ng government ang order ni President Duterte sa new AFP Chief of Staff to recruit 10 battalions? Gaano katagal ang recruitment and training?

MAJ. GEN. PADILLA: ‘Yung tungkol po dun sa bagong naaresto, wala pa po akong hawak na impormasyon diyan. Bagong — ah bagong body.

So I guess that would be something that will be best addressed by the Spokesman of Joint Task Force Ranao, General — Colonel Brawner, who is in the area right now.

So we will refer it to your teams in Marawi to him, so that they can ascertain, if you wanna — and they will allow that video footages of the recovery.

Now, as to the order of the President for the additional warm bodies for the Armed Forces, ongoing na po ito.

And napondohan na rin karamihan itong recruitment. But the recruitment process is something that takes time because they have to undergo training.

So the training for those recruits that have been recruited already is ongoing.

So pat — magpapatuloy ito hanggang sa susunod na taon. At ‘yung pondo para sa kanila ay alam ko po na napaglaanan na ng DBM. Now, madami ring related na cost dito, at alam ko, napaghandaan na rin.

MS. JOCSON: A few statements.

On the dismissal of Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog:

The Department of Interior and Local Government would implement the dismissal order of Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog once it receives the official copy of the decision from the Office of the Ombudsman.

On Project Facilitation, Monitoring and Innovation Task Force:

There is no slowdown in our Build-Build-Build Program.

The President’s economic managers have formed an inter-agency group, the Project Facilitation, Monitoring and Innovation Task Force, composed of the National Economic Development Authority or the NEDA, Department of Finance (DOF), and DBM, Department of Budget and Management, that would address bottlenecks and gaps in infrastructure development.

The next five years, as we said, will be the Golden Age of Infrastructure.

And as we ramp up infrastructure investment, we hope to improve coordination and timing issues and provide solutions to problems during the implementation stage of projects.

On Liberal Party’s claim that the administration is going all-out to demonize Roxas and Drilon:

The administration has nothing to do with the testimony of a drug cartel bagman, Mr. Ricky Serenio, implicating Senator Franklin Drilon and Former Secretary Mar Roxas to the illegal drug trade in the Visayas.

The Liberal Party is afraid of its own ghost after conducting several witch hunt investigations against their perceived political enemies when they were in power.

Those are the statements. Thank you.

Ms. Ignacio: Can you accept question?

MS. JOCSON: No.

[Off-mic]: Yes.

MS. JOCSON: To the best of my ability.

Ms. Ranada: Ma’am, may we know why Spox Abella is no longer attending the Japan visit of the President?

MS. JOCSON: As far as the office is informed, there are pressing matters that Spokesperson Abella has to attend at the moment. It is not yet final whether he will go to Japan or not. He may or may not. But currently, he has to attend to more pressing matters.

Mr. Morong: What’s his status?

MS. JOCSON: In a relationship?

Mr. Morong: Pwede naman. Pwede namang in a relationship. Hindi naman complicated ‘yan? No, anong ano, because there are rumors, of course you’ve heard of it?

MS. JOCSON: There… As of the moment, as you could see, the Office of the Presidential Spokesperson, likewise the Presidential Spokesperson, we are carrying out our task as always.

We… He is still the Presidential Spokesperson. He is carrying out his mandate. He is not here right now and it is not unusual, I have done several briefings on his behalf.

So there is no — nothing unusual with the Presidential Spokesperson’s absence today.

Maricel Halili (TV-5): Ma’am, just a follow up question. Hi, ma’am.

MS. JOCSON: Yes, ma’am?

Ms. Halili: You’ve mentioned that Usec. Abella is attending to some pressing matters. May we know what are these issues?

MS. JOCSON: I am not — I am not privy to the pressing matters the Spokesperson… He was to attend the press briefing. It must have been something immediate.

I just got a call an hour before the said press briefing. He intended to be here today, so it was an immediate schedule that he cannot probably refuse to. We were not made aware of what that was.

But as per schedule, he was to be here today. So, yes. Thank you.

Ms. Halili: Ma’am, I understand that later this evening, President Duterte will be meeting Representative Harry Roque. May we know, aside from celebrating his birthday, may we know if they’re going to discuss other issues?

MS. JOCSON: The office is not aware of the meeting between the President and Mr. Harry Roque. Therefore, we cannot give you any information on what the meeting will be about.

Ms. Halili: Thank you, ma’am.

Ms. Andolong: Ma’am, sorry. How can you not be aware of the meeting of the President and Harry Roque if it’s in the President’s schedule and your from the Communications Office?

MS. JOCSON: Ma’am, I did not say I’m not aware. We were made…

Ms. Andolong: You said, you’re not aware about their meeting?

MS. JOCSON: We were n… Yes, it was not given to the Office of the Presidential Spokesperson. So that’s why we also could not give an information where… as to what — what the meeting will be about.

Ms. Andolong: Ah, you don’t get the schedule?

MS. JOCSON: We did not get the schedule. The de — we did get the schedule, we did not get the details of the meeting. We are aware of the meeting, but not the details.

Mr. Morong: [Off-mic] Presidential Spox… It is… Your… The timeframe that we’re talking about is he’s still Spox as of this moment?

MS. JOCSON: As of this moment, he is still Presidential Spokesperson and since he is in town, we may… you may hear from him next week. He may still give briefings if he is in town. If he doesn’t push through with the trip, he may still give briefings next week.

Mr. Morong: All right. Thank you.

–END–