New AFP chief Madrigal: Never again to attacks like the Marawi siege

Never again to attacks on the Filipino people such as the Marawi siege.

Newly appointed Armed Forces Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Benjamin Madrigal made this promise on Tuesday during the Change of Command ceremonies that paved the way for his formal assumption as head of the military, replacing General Carlito Galvez, Jr.

“We cannot let another Marawi-like threat to happen again. We will optimize the success of our AFP transformation roadmap,” Madrigal said on Tuesday.

“We need more community dialogues. ‘Yung nangyari kasi sa Marawi, may kakulangan ng coordination, ng pag-uusap para magkaroon tayo ng situational awareness sa area. Ito ‘yung gagawin natin,” he added.

The clash between government forces and the terrorist group Maute in the Islamic City of Marawi erupted on May 23, 2017 after government authorities were overwhelmed by Maute supporters while trying to serve an arrest warrant on the group's de facto leader Isnilon Hapilon.

On the same day, President Rodrigo Duterte declared martial law over the entire Mindanao.

The terror group wrought havoc on the city for five months, taking hostages, destroying communities, and battling government troops with relentless sniper fire.

The conflict left over a thousand people dead, mostly terrorist fighters, and resulted in at least P53 billion worth of damage. 

Congress has twice has granted Duterte’s request to extend martial law. With the period of martial law due to end this month, the President requested another extension this week.

The implementation of martial law allows authorities to arrest suspected rebels or criminals without a warrant and charge them within three days.

If the authorities failed to charge these suspects within three days, these suspects must be freed. — BM, GMA News