China donates P5M for Marawi soldiers; P15M more for rehab before year-end

China has donated P5 million for the soldiers battling terrorists in Marawi City, the Armed Forces of the Philippines said Wednesday.

Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua handed over the check donation to AFP chief of staff General Eduardo Año Tuesday.

A press statement from the AFP quoted Zhao as saying that another donation worth P15 million will also be given before the end of the year.

The amount is intended for the rehabilitation of Marawi, particularly in the delivery of engineering equipment.

Col. Edgard Arevalo, AFP public affairs office chief, said they appreciated the donation of the Chinese government.

“The amount will go a long way as it has already been deposited yesterday after the hand over to the AFP Chief General Eduardo Año and now form part of the running tally of around P38.1 million donations for the soldiers killed or wounded in Marawi,” he said.

The firefight in Marawi started on May 23 when government forces tried to arrest Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon who was hiding in the city. The troops were surprised when armed men, they later learned to be pro-ISIS Maute members, fired at them.

As of August 31, at least 136 soldiers and 620 Maute members have been killed.

Año earlier expressed confidence the siege will end before he retires in October.

He added that the Maute group still fighting  it out with government troops in Marawi City will either have to surrender or die in battle.

“‘Yung mga kalaban natin, do or die na sila, but we will not stop. Tatapusin natin ito. Either they surrender or they die there, para masimulan na natin ‘yung reconstruction,” he said. — MDM/KVD, GMA News