Seven PSG members were wounded on Tuesday after an attack on advance team of Duterte to Marawi.
President Rodrigo Duterte will still push through with his visit to Marawi City scheduled on Wednesday, November 30.
This is despite the advice to postpone the travel following the attack on the presidential security group as his advance party on Tuesday where nine people were injured.
This was confirmed by Duterte in his speech during the inauguration of the Mega Drug Rehabilitation and Treatment Center in Nueva Ecija.
“There’s trouble there in Mindanao. It is within control but it is a troublesome thing. So I have to fly [there] tomorrow,” Duterte said.
“‘Yung advance party ko belonging to the Presidential Security Group, na-ambush pa kanina. Tinamaan ng IED. But I’m going there. The advice was to postpone but I said no. I’ll go there, and if possible take the same route,” the president added.
On Tuesday, the authorities confirmed that nine government security forces, including seven PSG members, were injured when an improvised explosive device planted roadside exploded near their convoy.
Duterte made light of the incident, in his speech, saying a gunfight may ensure once he arrives at Marawi City. “Maybe we can have a little gunfight here, gunfight there. Exercise,” he said.
He also joked and laughed that if ever he does not make it on Wednesday, Vice President Leni Robredo or “gentle president” would take over.
“That’s why we have a vice president, Leni Robredo. You can have a gentle president,” he said.
Earlier on Tuesday, PSG spokesperson Lt. Col. Michael Aquino clarified he could not determine whether the attack was for Duterte or it is just a result of the ongoing military campaign against the Maute Group in Lanao del Sur.
On the other hand, Lt. Col. Aquino stressed that the PSG “is well-trained and prepared to ensure the safety of the President.”
“Tight talaga ang security natin, kahit saan tayo magpunta, hindi naman tayo nagpapabaya, talagang alert tayo, naka-alert tayo palagi at tsaka yung mga tropa natin, trained talaga iyan, maganda rin ang mga training ng tropa natin,” he said.