Bad weather kept Duterte from visiting Marawi

President Rodrigo Duterte was supposed to visit war-torn Marawi City on Thursday amid ongoing military operations against the ISIS-inspired Maute group, but this plan did not push through because of bad weather.

In a text message to reporters, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Sec. Jesus Dureza blamed “bad weather” for the canceled trip.

It was supposed to be Duterte’s first visit to the city.

Instead, Dureza, Defense Sec. Delfin Lorenzana, and National Security Adviser Sec. Hermogenes Esperon Jr. went to Kampo Ranao and talked to the troops.

The three Cabinet officials said that the clashes in Marawi City would end soon.

They were also joined by Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff Gen. Eduardo Año. — Trisha Macas/RSJ, GMA News