Lt. Gen. Galvez' message on start of Ramadan

Press Statement of Lieutenant General Carlito G Galvez, Jr reand start of Ramadan (May 27, 2017 11 a.m.) The entire Western Mindanao Command joins our Muslim brethrens in the observance of the Holy Month of Ramadan. All our personnel in Western Mindanao were ordered to carry out security measures to ensure that the vicinity of mosques (masjids) will be secured and that the Islamic faithfuls are free to go there to exercise their religion. As fighting continues in Marawi, our units are constrained to launch airstrikes to identified specific targets occupied by the Maute/ISIS terrorist group. The terrorists' actions prevent their fellow Muslims to peacefully and solemnly observe Ramadan by continuing to occupy buildings and structures in Marawi City. They serve to delay impede our troops in restoring peace and order in the City. These terrorists continue to sow terror and confusion even to non-combatant Muslims and Christians. Establishments remain nonoperational and government services unavailable causing extreme deprivation and hardships to the people. We cannot and should not allow these terrorists Maute/ISIS to ruin the lives of our fellow Filipinos and give Islam a bad name. It is in this light that there is a need to deliberately employ forces and air assets to target with precision selected, identified, and already isolated terrorist locations. Ganun paman, nais naming humingi ng paumanhin sa lahat ng mamamayang apektado, sa mga kapatid naming Muslim lalong lalo na sa mga miyembro ng MILF at MNLF, humihingi kami ng pang unawa sa pangyayari ngayon. Naway magtulungan tayo sa mga panahong ito, at ating paigtingin ang samahang nabuo sa mga nakaraang mga pagsubok na ating nalampasan. Naniniwala akong matatapos ito sa tulong ng inyong suporta, pang-unawa at mga panalangin. Even our Muslim soldiers are given time to practice their faith. Normally, a ramadan break is granted to Muslim soldiers however, with the declaration of Martial Law and the mission to immediately address the havoc caused by the Maute /ISIS in Marawi. Our Muslim soldiers for now, need to give their share of sacrifices in order to make sure that Islam believers from Marawi can soon go back to their homes and observe Ramadan. Ang ating mga kasundaluhang Muslim na nasa Marawi ay kinakailangan munang magsakripisyo at ipagpaliban ang kanilang religious practice hangang sa matapos ang gulo sa Marawi. Sa muli, maraming salamat sa inyong panalangin at suporta.