Dela Rosa agrees 15 more days needed to end Marawi conflict

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa on Wednesday agreed with the assessment of President Rodrigo Duterte saying that he needs 15 more days to end the crisis in Marawi city.

"That's a very good assessment coming from the President," Dela Rosa told reporters after the signing of the Record of Discussions between the Department of Interior and Local Government and the Korea International Cooperation Agency on enhancing the investigation capability of the PNP.

Dela Rosa said Duterte's assessment was based on reports from security officials.

"He's very much aware of the situation, he's being briefed every now and then about the situation doon kaya he came up with that assessment," he said.

Duterte earlier indicated that he needs 10 to 15 more days to end the crisis in Marawi City.

Duterte also mentioned that he will once again try to go to Marawi this week after his first two failed attempts due to bad weather. He said he wanted to to be with the soldiers while clashes are still ongoing in the war-torn city.

More than 500 people, mostly militants, have been killed in the ongoing conflict.

Duterte's declaration of martial law in Mindanao will lapse next week, days before his second State of the Nation Address on July 24. —ALG/KVD, GMA News