•  AFP sees liberation of Marawi on celebration of 119th Independence Day
• People’s Television airs Countering Violent Extremism’ Forum
• Free Wi-Fi in EDSA to be launched on June 12
• Drug rehab efforts strengthened in campaign against illegal drugs
• President Duterte commends bravery of Armed Forces in Marawi siege

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is hopeful that Marawi City will finally be liberated on Monday, June 12, which is also the 119th Independence Day of the Republic.

“Rest assured, our soldiers are doing their part, they’re doing their best and are continuing on with this effort on the ground to facilitate the liberation of Marawi hopefully by Monday,” Brigadier General Restituto Padilla Jr., Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesperson said in a press briefing in Malacañang on Friday, June 9.

According to Padilla, AFP Chief of Staff Eduardo Año has made an announcement hoping that by Monday, Philippine flags will be freely waved in every corner of Marawi.

“And we’re working feverishly to do that to ensure we are able to do, to a big extent, what was announced by the Chief of Staff,” he said.

He said the AFP Chief of Staff is looking forward to more cleared areas in the next few days and is optimistic that our momentum and our phase is at the right manner.

“His guidance to our ground commanders to put the primordial concern of having our forces execute military operations to ensure that lives are saved through expeditious military action,” he said.

Padilla said government troops are working overtime to facilitate the liberation of Marawi “at the quickest time that we can.”

Asked on the basis of the assessment, the AFP official said there was an offensive launched on Friday morning against enemy positions.

“So this continues up to this moment and we are confident our troops are gaining important headway inside these areas. And as I have mentioned the other day, definitely proving that the world of the terrorists inside the city is growing smaller by the day,” he said.

Padilla also noted that the volume of fire coming from the enemy has decreased and enemy activity in areas where so much has been monitored has dwindled, and sniper fire has been very selective.

He said the end game is to have Isnilon Hapilon and the Maute brothers arrested “if we can arrest them.” “But if we cannot, then to neutralize them, because I guess they will always fight it to the end,” he said.

“So the liberation of Marawi will only be when every armed element in the city is gone,” the AFP official explained.

According to Padilla, there are still three villages being held by the Maute.

On the reconstruction, rehabilitation and rebuilding of Marawi City, Padilla said it will not only entail military action but a large part of it will be led by civilian leaders in the area.

“And hence, what we have been saying all along, that the problems to all these armed conflicts or these threats will require a holistic solution,” he said.

“So apart from that, the trauma that the community has gone into is one part, so we will need health workers not only from the DOH but from other organizations that can send interventions to rebuild the lives and the — overcome the trauma, particularly on women, children, and the innocent,” he added.

Padilla also assured that the government will help Marawi rebuild at the soonest time possible.

“Ang amin pong ipinaaabot na abiso sa lahat ng ating mga kababayan sa Marawi eh hindi po namin iiwanan ang Marawi na basta na lang ganyan,” he said.

“Kung may nanghimasok, nanira, nanunog at pumatay, ay hindi na po natin papayagan pong muling mangyari ito at tutulungan po naming bumangon ang Marawi sa mabilis na panahon. At kasama diyan ang garantiya na pag iniwan natin ito, mas magiging matibay ang Marawi,” he added.

For his part, Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said the House Appropriations committee is starting to draw up the comprehensive plan.

During the briefing, Abella also announced that as of June 8, 8 pm, there are now 1,599 civilians rescued and 146 firearms recovered. ###PND

The TV special aimed to enlighten the public about violent extremism, and why Filipinos must stand firm against any forces that aim to sow terror in the country.

Actual interviews with people from Mindanao about their views on martial law and recent video footages of the terror war in Marawi were presented to provide eye-opening perspectives.

Major General Melquiades Feliciano, Deputy Chief of Staff for Civil-Military Operations of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP); Undersecretary Catalino Cuy, the current Officer-in-Charge of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG); Undersecretary Diosita Tutanes-Andot, also the Executive Director of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP); Ateneo student Datu Amir Wagas, representative of mainstream Islam advocate Salaam Ateneo; and youth leader Ryan Oliver, President and National Convenor of the National Youth Commission served as panelists.

The panelists talked about major issues, such as the problem of terrorism in Mindanao. They provided insights and first-hand experiences on the current situation in Marawi, as well as recommended possible solutions to prevent the youth from falling prey to radicalization.

The forum likewise discussed whether social media contributes to the spread of terrorism, and tackle the role of millennials to fight radicalism.

PTV anchors Alex Santos and Princess Habibah Sarip were the moderators of the TV forum aired on PTV-4 and Presidential Communications (Government of the Philippines) Facebook page. ###PCO-Content

Free Wi-Fi is one of the promises made by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte in his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) in July 2016.

“I have ordered the newly-created DICT to develop a National Broadband Plan to accelerate the deployment of fiber optic cables and wireless technologies to improve Internet speed,” President Duterte said.

The Chief Executive further instructed the DICT “to provide Wi-Fi access in selected public places throughout the country.”

To make the EDSA project happen, the DICT employed strategies, which include providing access points in all MRT stations and in between stations and enhancing infrastructures for cellular services along EDSA.

Service testing of the project will be done tomorrow, June 10.

Priority stretch of the project is from Cubao to Guadalupe.

DICT’s partner agencies include the Department of Transportation – Metro Rail Transit 3 (MRT3), PLDT and SMART, Globe Telecom, ABRATIQUE & ASSOCIATES, Metro Rail Transit Corporation (MRT DevCo), Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA, Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA), Manila Electric Company (MERALCO), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA), Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC), and the local governments of Quezon City, Makati City, Mandaluyong and Pasay City.###PCO-Content
For release/blasting. Final. –

Free Wi-Fi in EDSA to be launched on June 12

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), together with the National Telecommunications Commmission (NTC), will formally launch on Independence Day, June 12, free Wi-Fi and high-speed Internet services, dubbed as “Alay Para sa Malayang Pilipino,” in the whole stretch of EDSA.

Free Wi-Fi is one of the promises made by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte in his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) in July 2016.

“I have ordered the newly-created DICT to develop a National Broadband Plan to accelerate the deployment of fiber optic cables and wireless technologies to improve Internet speed,” President Duterte said.

The Chief Executive further instructed the DICT “to provide Wi-Fi access in selected public places throughout the country.”

To make the EDSA project happen, the DICT employed strategies, which include providing access points in all MRT stations and in between stations and enhancing infrastructures for cellular services along EDSA.

Service testing of the project will be done tomorrow, June 10.

Priority stretch of the project is from Cubao to Guadalupe.

DICT’s partner agencies include the Department of Transportation – Metro Rail Transit 3 (MRT3), PLDT and SMART, Globe Telecom, ABRATIQUE & ASSOCIATES, Metro Rail Transit Corporation (MRT DevCo), Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA, Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA), Manila Electric Company (MERALCO), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA), Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC), and the local governments of Quezon City, Makati City, Mandaluyong and Pasay City.###PCO-Content

Dr. Vilma Diez, Acting Director III of the Department of Health (DOH), reported that there are 46 drug abuse treatments and rehabilitation centers in the whole country: 11 of these are managed by the DOH, 5 are managed by the local government units and 30 are private.

Diez added that the DOH will be opening seven (7) more treatment and rehabilitation centers for drug surrenderers.

At present, there are 2,041 severe drugs users admitted to the rehabilitation program since July of last year, with 1,263 receiving treatment.

“For drug surrenderers who are willing to be rehabilitated, evaluation is needed. People from the barangay level, such as health workers and those from the health centers are equipped with knowledge on how to screen a drug surrender, whether low-risk or high-risk,” Dr. Diez said.
Also part of the drug rehabilitation program effort is to reintegrate drug surrenderers. Through the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), training is being provided to drug surrenderers for them to become community leaders.

A total of 1,304,795 drug surrenderers were facilitated from July 1, 2016 to June 6, 2017 as part of the efforts of the Duterte administration in its relentless and sustained campaign against illegal drugs.

In the same press briefing, PDEA Director-General Isidro Lapeña reported that 61, 592 anti-drug operations were conducted from July 1, 2016 to June 6, 2017 and arrested 82,607 drug personalities – of which 280 are government workers. These operations seized 2,340.74 kilos of shabu equivalent to a street value of P12.10B. The value of seized drugs, controlled precursors and essential chemicals and laboratory equipment, on the other hand, amounted to P18.01B covering the same period.

PDEA Director General Lapeña also reported that the number of drug law enforcers killed and wounded in anti-drug operations from of the same period reached 179. Of the total, 47 were killed in action while 132 were wounded in the antidrug operations.

The PDEA, together with the DOH, DSWD, DILG will continue to provide the public with accurate information and updates on the reinforcement and intervention programs of the government.###PCO-Content

In his visit to the 603rd Brigade in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao, President Duterte underscored the bravery of the Armed Forces who have fought the terrorist Maute group in Marawi City.

“It is my honor to express our deepest admiration and gratitude [to] your fallen and wounded comrades who selflessly put their lives on the line to keep our country safe and strong,” Duterte said in his speech.

He said the Filipino people will forever be grateful to the brave soldiers “who left their families and the comforts of their homes to defend our sovereignty and uphold the Constitution.”

“I commend you for your strong resolve in going after various terrorist and extremist groups in your area of [operations]. Because of your efforts to go after the enemy, we have upheld the rule of law,” Duterte said.

“Your hard work and relentlessness against illegal drugs have [also] resulted in the neutralization and apprehension of drug personalities and the confiscation of drugs and drug paraphernalia, making your area of responsibility safer from the drug menace,” he said.

“I pray that you will survive, all of you. And I’m very sad to have lost several of my soldiers and policemen,” Duterte said.

The President reiterated his full support to his soldiers, adding that they are now well equipped with brand new equipment.

“You will always have my support. At ang lahat ng binibili dito ngayon brand new. So kung ano ‘yung problema mo, sabihin mo sa akin, hindi kaya dito, o ‘di tawagan mo ako,” he said.

Duterte meanwhile said that as President of the Republic, it is painful for him to see Filipinos fighting their fellowmen.

“We do not want any war. I do not want war. Masakit para sa aking makita whether NPA, nakabulagta diyan. NPA, it’s Filipino. There’s a truism na you cannot fight your own people. ‘Yan ang pinakamasakit sa civil strife,” he said.

He however said there is always a limitation.

“They are the scourges of the land that we must rid of – swiftly and decisively – so that we can begin to rebuild our lives, homes and communities and regain the peace and freedom that our people long for,” the President said.

Duterte also underscored that he did not declare martial law to perpetuate himself in power.

“I think the Armed Forces and the Police would not aim for a war that would result in the killings of many lives,” he said.

The President meanwhile urged his countrymen to help in the reconstruction of Marawi when the siege is over.

“We have to help each other. Sabi ko, after all at the end of the day, Filipino tayo,” Duterte said.###PND