PNP chief wants Marawi police station established in battleground

FILE: Dela Rosa said the Marawi police should have stronger intelligence aside from their usual mandate as law enforcers.. (PNA photo)

DAVAO CITY — Now that the reconstruction of Marawi City is underway, Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Ronald dela Rosa wants to establish the Marawi Police Station as the first edifice inside the battle zone as a symbol of authority and confidence.

Since the armed campaign against the Maute group terrorists in Marawi last June, the city’s police have been sharing office at the Lanao Del Sur provincial police office in Amai Pakpak.

Dela Rosa said the Marawi police should have stronger intelligence aside from their usual mandate as law enforcers.

What happened in Marawi should be lessons learned.

Intelligence information must come from the police, Dela Rosa said.

The Marawi police would also have a new chief – Supt. Ibrahim Mukser, an Imam of the PNP, Dela Rosa revealed.

Following the death of terrorist leaders Omarkhayam Maute and Isnilon Hapilon of the Abu Sayyaf Group during a pre-dawn offensive launched by the military on Oct. 16, President Rodrigo Duterte declared the liberation of Marawi from the terrorists.

Duterte’s declaration marks the beginning of Marawi’s reconstruction.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesman Maj. Gen. Restituto Padilla Jr., earlier said that as of October 8, government security forces had so far neutralized 774 enemies. They also recovered 810 high-powered firearms.

The AFP is focusing on clearing around 200 buildings in about five to seven hectare area.