Over the weekend, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte promised troops on the frontline of the Marawi war zone that they would be rewarded with “many surprises” if they survived, including an all-expenses-paid vacation to Hong Kong.
The soldiers, who have been fighting Maute terrorists for over two months, were told by Duterte that the trip would be a “prize for [their] valor” and that they were welcome to bring their girlfriends or partners, the Philippine Star reports. The controversial president added that troops could instead choose to “spend time with an actress” of their choice, although it isn’t clear whether he was joking.
“Go on (and stay alive). You will have so many surprises coming your way. I hope that (you) stay alive, fight cool, do not be in a hurry, do not go into a rage or you could lose yourself,” the Star quoted Duterte as saying.
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana told Rappler that the president also wished to give the sniper with the highest terrorist kill count a special barret rifle once the Marawi conflict ended.
The island of Mindanao, where Marawi city is situated, has been under martial law since fighting broke out between the government’s armed forces and Maute terrorists on May 23. The Department of Social Welfare estimates that 359,680 people — including over 200,000 children — have been displaced by the conflict as of July 31.
A total of 122 soldiers, 523 terrorists, and 45 civilians have been killed in the battle as of 7pm local time on Saturday, according to a statement from the government-run Philippine News Agency.
