China gives P65 million for wounded Marawi troops

By Roy Ramos

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines

The Armed Forces of the Philippines on Wednesday received a P65 million ($1.27 million) donation from China intended for the medication and recovery of government troops wounded in the clashes in Marawi City.

Beijing’s latest aid was formally turned over to military chief General Eduardo Año by Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua at the presidential office and witnessed by President Rodrigo Duterte.

“President Duterte said the assistance provided would be of great help to the government as it pursues the final stages of its operations against the Maute terrorists in Mindanao,” said the press statement released by the Presidential Communications Operations Office.

Duterte also expressed the Filipino people's gratitude for China's continuous assistance to the country during the ongoing rebellion in Marawi City.

The Chinese government in June donated P15 million ($293,000) to support relief operations and rehabilitation efforts in Marawi, another P5 million ($97,780) for the troops killed and wounded in the clashes, and gave P370 million ($7.24M) worth of arms to help fight the remaining militants in the besieged city.

Philippines-China ties improved when Duterte opted to temporarily set aside Manila's territorial disputes on the South China Sea with Beijing in order to revive the two countries’ economic relations.

In October 2016, Duterte returned home from a state visit in China with an estimated $24 billion in investment and loan pledges.

The siege in Marawi City began on May 23, when members of the Maute group torched buildings and fired at civilians in a bid to establish a province for Daesh. This prompted Duterte to place the Mindanao Island under martial law until the year’s end.