By Rosemarie A. Zamora

PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte on Monday, Sept. 11, made his fourth visit to Marawi City to check the condition of military troops in the battle area, Malacañang said.

During his visit, he went to the Grand Islamic Mosque, where the Maute group held its hostages and which they also used as their command and control center at the height of the clashes which began on May 23.

Mr. Duterte also went to the retaken Mapandi Bridge and to the main battle area where he accommodated a photo opportunity with soldiers.

Earlier that day, Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto C. Abella said at the Palace that “the fight against a Daesh-inspired rebellion in the Islamic city of Marawi is in its last miles.”

Armed Forces of the Philippines Spokesperson Brig. Gen. Restituto F. Padilla, for his part, said “We’re entering the last and final stages of our fight in Marawi.”

“That is being mentioned because the remaining areas where the rebels are holed 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. So they are actually concentrated on only a few,” he added.

The President first visited the city on July 20 when Mapandi Bridge was retaken. he returned on Aug. 4 after troops were able to retake the Safrullah M. Dipatuan (SMD) General Hospital and again on Aug. 24.

Mr. Duterte arrived in Marawi City together with Defense Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana, National Security Adviser Hermogenes C. Esperon, AFP Chief Eduardo M. Año and Special Assistant to the President Christopher “Bong” T. Go.

The fighting in Marawi is on its 112th day, with enemies killed reaching 655, recovered firearms now at 685.

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