MANILA: The Philippine military’s offensive against the Daesh-backed Maute Group in Marawi is now in its final stages, according to a military spokesman.
The news came as is was revealed the US had increased its support for the Philippine’s counterterrorism efforts by providing the government with a the latest unmanned drone, the Grey Eagle, with which to take on terror groups operating in the country.
The battle for control of Marawi has been raging since May, after the terror group seized control of the city located on Mindanao Island.
As if to illustrate the gravity of the task facing local forces, the US recently also provided 1,000 gas masks and C2 filter canisters to the Philippine military. Which, according to the US embassy, the Philippine Navy requested in order to better prepare their sailors and marines to respond to chemical threats.
As the fighting entered its 116th day yesterday, Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesman, said that 845 people had died in the operation so far including 666 terrorists, 145 from the government’s side, and 45 civilians.
Speaking at a press briefing, Padilla said the military offensive in Marawi is now in its final stages, stressing that there will be no more negotiations with the Maute Group.
“As has been previously announced, we’re entering the last and final stages of our fight in Marawi,” Padilla said.
“That is being mentioned because the remaining areas where the rebels are holding-up are getting smaller and smaller by the day. And as we clear more buildings, we deny them the opportunity to retake additional facilities or installations where they can hide.
“There is no negotiations whatsoever. We don’t negotiate with terrorists,” he emphasized.
Padilla also said they have deliberately not been saying when exactly the crisis will end.
“As the days continue new challenges will come up. But we’re doing our best to expedite it.”
The remaining Maute elements are now concentrated in a just a small area in the city, where fortified buildings occupied by the militants are located.
The US Embassy in Manilla said the American government has provided the Philippines with more than $300 million over the past three years to establish better command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities for the AFP.
Recent deliveries also include a Raven tactical Unmanned Aeronautical System (UAS) and two Cessna-208B surveillance aircrafts along with other munitions and weapons to support the urgent defense and counterterrorism needs.
Fighting to retake Marawi set to finish soon as US up military support of Philippine forces
Fighting to retake Marawi set to finish soon as US up military support of Philippine forces
Indonesia’s first woman president awarded honorary doctorate by Princess Nourah University
- Megawati was recognized for her leadership and contributions to social, legal affairs
- She has received 10 other honorary degrees from Indonesian and foreign institutions
JAKARTA: Megawati Sukarnoputri, who served as Indonesia’s fifth president and was the country’s only female head of state to date, has been awarded an honorary doctorate by Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University in Riyadh, becoming the first foreign national to receive the title.
Megawati, the eldest daughter of Indonesia’s first President Sukarno and chairwoman of the country’s largest political party, the PDIP, served as president from 2001 to 2004.
The 79-year-old was awarded an honorary doctorate in organizational and legal affairs in Riyadh on Monday during a ceremony overseen by Princess Nourah University’s acting president, Dr. Fawzia bint Sulaiman Al-Amro.
“This recognition was given in appreciation of her efforts during her presidency, her significant contributions to social, organizational, and legal fields, and her role in strengthening institutional leadership in Indonesia,” the university said in a statement.
This is Megawati’s 11th honorary doctorate. She has received similar degrees from Indonesian and foreign universities, including the Moscow State Institute of International Relations in 2003 and the Soka University of Japan in 2020.
She has also been awarded the title of honorary professor by several institutions, including by the Seoul Institute of the Arts in 2022.
“We gather at the Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, a university that stands as a symbol of women’s progress in education, knowledge and public service … To see so many intelligent women, I feel very proud,” Megawati said in her acceptance speech.
“Women’s empowerment is not a threat to any values, culture or tradition. It is actually a condition for nations that believe in their future … A great nation is one that is able to harness all of its human potential. A strong nation is one that does not allow half of its social power to be left on the sidelines of history.”
Megawati is the longest-serving political leader in Indonesia. Indonesia’s first direct presidential elections took place during her presidency, consolidating the country’s transition to democracy after the downfall of its longtime dictator Suharto in 1998.
