President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Friday, May 26 promised full support for government troops fighting the Maute group in Marawi City.

“May full support kayo sa akin. I’m scraping the bottom of the barrel to look for money to see you through,” Duterte told the 2nd Mechanized Infantry Brigade in Maria Cristina, Iligan City.

In his speech before the soldiers, Duterte vowed that his administration will provide everything they need.

“And because we have the weapons and the equipments and we have the air assets to help you, we will try our very best na magamit lahat to protect you at the time when you are fighting,” Duterte said.

The President also pledged that he will take responsibility for the outcome of martial law in Mindanao.

“Sasamahan ko kayo… If you go down, I go down. But for this martial law and the consequences of martial law and the ramifications of martial law, I and I alone would be responsible, trabaho lang kayo. Ako ng bahala,” he said.

For the wounded soldiers, the President said there is a modernized hospital for them and that he has bought all the equipments needed.

Following his visit to the 2MIB, the President went to the Mindanao Sanitarium and Hospital in Iligan City to visit 29 wounded in action soldiers.

Among the assistance extended to each wounded soldier is P100,000 check.

Duterte then proceeded to St. Peter’s Funeral Homes in Iligan City to pay his last respect to fallen soldiers and policemen.

For the family of each dead policemen and soldier, P250,000 financial assistance will be extended upon completion of requirements.

He also visited the wake of two civilian casualties, an ambulance driver and ambulance utility. ###PND