NANCY: EXPEDITE MARAWI CLEARING OPERATIONS FOR EARLIER REBUILDING

Senator Nancy Binay today called on the authorities to hasten the clearing of war-torn areas in Marawi City, saying that the earlier the clearing operation ends, the soonest rebuilding can start in the area.

"I call on the authorities, especially the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) na pabilisin ang clearing operations sa loob ng mga apektadong barangay, lalong-lalo sa main battle area, sa Marawi City," Binay said.

"This way, ang mabilis na pagtatapos ng clearing ay mas mapapaaga ang simula ng rebuilding ng lungsod," she added.

The lady solon earlier called on the inclusion of indigenous peoples (IPs) and internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the 23-member Task Force Bangon Marawi, which was tasked by the national government to lead in the recovery and rehabilitation of the war-torn city.

Clearing operations by government forces are currently ongoing in the city.

Binay said that the government should pour more resources for the recovery and clearing of unexploded ordnance that can pose danger to rehabilitation workers.

"Magpadala pa po tayo ng dagdag na mga Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Units o bomb squads upang tumulong sa paghahanap at pagdidispose ng maayos ng mga hindi sumabog na mga bomba at mga bala," Binay said.

"Hangga't may mga naiwang mga bomba, bala, improvised explosive devices o booby traps sa mga pinagkutaan ng mga Maute fighters ay malalagay sa panganib ang buhay ng mga rehabilitation workers," she added.

Defense secretary Delfin Lorenzana earlier said that the government has spent over PhP5 billion for ammunition, fuel, food and soldiers' allowances of soldiers during the last four months of fighting.