China pledges P1.15-B for Marawi; Duterte to gift rifle that killed Hapilon to Beijing

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Wednesday announced his government's P1.15 billion donation to Marawi City.

"The Chinese government will provide 150 million RMB Yuan of grants for the rebuilding and improvement of livelihood in Marawi to demonstrate the support of the Chinese people," he said after his bilateral meeting with President Rodrigo Duterte in Malacañang.

"We have full confidence that under your leadership, Mr. President, and the leadership of your government, the rebuilding of Marawi will be completed at — in a very early date and the local people will embrace even better life," he added.

Marawi City was attacked by ISIS-inspired Maute group on May 22, forcing Duterte to return to the Philippines without completing his official visit to Russia and to declare martial law all over Mindanao.

In his opening statement during his bilateral meeting with Li, Duterte mentioned that one of the rifles that China gave to the Philippines killed Abu Sayyaf leader and supposed ISIS emir Isnilon Hapilon.

"And I am happy to report to you that one of the rifles that you gave us killed Hapilon, was the leader or the emir that they named in the Philippines.

Duterte said he would look for the soldier who fired the shot and return the rifle to the Chinese people as a symbol of their timely assistance to the country.

"And let me also assure you that during the critical stage of the Marawi incident, where we needed help badly, it was China who responded immediately for our cry for help," he said. — MDM, GMA News