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Defense chief Lorenzana: Gov’t has spent almost P3B in Marawi clash


The government has spent nearly P3 billion in the almost three-month firefight against the ISIS-inspired Maute group in Marawi City, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said.

In an interview with reporters, Lorenzana admitted that they have yet to collate the full report but initially, the Philippine Army said it has already spent P1.3 billion in its operations in Marawi.

“Sa Army pa lang yun, so hindi pa kasama yung Air Force, the Marines na nand’un din. So siguro mga roughly, mga nagagastos natin diyan since the start is about P2.5 billion, P2.5 to P3 billion,” he told reporters Thursday.

The firefight started in May 23 when government security forces conducted an operation to arrest Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon. The police and military were surprised when Maute members engaged them in a firefight.

Lorenzana said he is hoping Congress would replenish their funds.

“Hopefully we can ask Congress to replenish those funds kasi yung mga pera na yan kinuha namin sa ibang projects e para ilagay, para magamit doon, especially the procurement of more equipment saka bullet proof vests, mga helmet, mga night vision goggles saka ‘yung mga bala,” he said.

He said they never expected the clash would last as long as it now has.

The Defense chief said his men on the ground believe they need one to two more months to end the battle for the city.

“Tinanong namin last week yung mga tao run, sabi ng mga tropa, ng mga commanders, one or two months na lang, matagal-tagal pa rin,” he said.

He added they are not rushing their men as they do not want to put the operation at risk.

“Ang sabi nga ni Presidente (Rodrigo Duterte) ‘wag kayong magmadali dahil pag nagmamadali kayo maraming namamatay sa inyo e. Saka yung mga natatakot na maipit sa loob e, we don’t want them to be killed,” he said. — RSJ/KVD, GMA News

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