Duterte cancels visit to Marawi due to bad weather

June 8, 2017

President Rodrigo Duterte's visit to conflict-torn Marawi City was cancelled on Thursday due to bad weather but he proceeded to Cagayan de Oro where he joined some Cabinet members as they talked to wounded soldiers. Duterte was supposed to visit Camp Ranaw to talk to government security forces who have been pursuing the Islamic State-inspired Maute Terror Group and to check the recovered weapons from the terrorists in Marawi. This was supposed to be his first visit to Marawi since rebellion erupted in the area on May 23, prompting Duterte to declare martial law in the whole of Mindanao. In a text message to reporters, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said the weather was bad. It was raining and the visibility was poor, he added. Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza, in a separate text message to reporters, said he, with Lorenzana and National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. went to Marawi. After their briefing there, they proceeded to the Army's 4th Infantry Division in Cagayan de Oro City. (Celerina Monte/DMS)