Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte (Photo: EPA/VNA)Hanoi (VNA) – PhilippinePresident Rodrigo Duterte on August 30 has allowed the government army todecide suitable measures to take back areas that under insurgents’ control in thesouthern city of Marawi on Mindanao Island.
In a speech, Duterte stressed that the 100-dayfight could not last forever, adding that situation in Marawi was beyondcontrol and in a stalemate.
The Philippine President said he has approvedthe government army’s plan to attack local mosques, where militants are holdinghostages, although he had rejected it at first. He explained that the stalematecould not prolong for more than one year. Meanwhile, some people have been sentto persuade the militants to release hostages without hurting them.
Gunmen who had pledged allegiance to theself-claimed Islamic State (IS) have occupied Marawi, a big city of Muslim insouthern Philippines since May. Clashes between Philippine security forces andthe insurgents have claimed more than 600 lives.
The martial law which imposed on Mindanao hasbeen extended till this year’s end to make it easier for security forces tosweep terrorists out of the south.-VNA
