Camp Iranun, Barangay Pigcalagan, Sultan Kudarat
June 9, 2017
On 9 June 2017, the 17th day of Martial Law implementation in Mindanao, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte visited another camp to talk to the men and officers who have been in the frontline of the war against the Maute terrorist group in Marawi City.
Brigade Commander Colonel Jesus Sarsagat expressed his gratitude to the President before he visited Camp Iranun in Sultan Kudarat and mentioned the major accomplishments of his men in line with the mandate of the Philippine Army. “In behalf of my officers and men of 603rd Brigade, very proud kami na the President really finds time to visit us here. Three major accomplishments that I will be citing there are law and order support operations we have several of that, meron din kami doon sa anti-drugs, and also yung aming peace mechanism because in the brigade, nakita namin yung importance ng peace mechanism as part of our campaign,” the Brigade Commander said.
As a result of continuous support operations, several firearms were obtained by the government troops that were displayed during the President’s visit to Camp Iranun. These include the following — one (1) Snier rifle, three (3) shot guns, five (5) Garand rifles, one (1) air gun, two (2) caliber .22 rifles, seven (7) M16A1 rifles, three (3) M14 rifles, one (1) KG9, three (3) caliber .45 pistols, two (2) caliber .38 revolvers, two (2) M16 with M203 attached, two (2) boost masters, two (2) caliber .45 Thompsons, one (1) 9MM, one (1) M653 rifle, two (2) sniper rifles (caliber .50), one (1) sniper rifle fal, two (2) carbine rifles, two (2) RPGs, one (1) AK47 rifle, three (3) M79, one (1) 60MM mortar, one (1) M60 LMG, and one (1) M203 tube.
In his message, President Duterte shared his sentiments on the ongoing siege in Mindanao, particularly in Marawi City. “I think the Armed Forces and the police would not take on a war that would result in the killing of so many lives. Wala yan sa…ideperensya mo kami sa ibang lider na dumaan… I do not want war, masakit para sa akin makita na, whether NPA (New People’s Army) nakabulagta dyan, NPA it’s Filipino. There’s a truism na you cannot fight your own people. Yan ang pinakamasakit sa civil strife!” the Commander-in-Chief stressed.
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