Soldiers who fought in the five-month Marawi siege were already on an all-expense paid trip to Tokyo and Hong Kong, President Rodrigo Duterte said Tuesday night.
“They are already there,” Duterte said, when a reporter asked about his promised vacation to soldiers.
The President said he brought at least 17 battalion commanders to Tokyo while the female soldiers were having a vacation in Hong Kong.
“The one I went to Tokyo with are the top commanders. I invited them [to come with me] for a respite. They don’t need go to Hong Kong with the ladies. That would be trouble,” Duterte said.
“The ladies are already there [in Hong Kong],” he added.
Budget airline Cebu Pacific paid for their airfare while he took care of their allowances, the President said.
“Sabi niya, ‘Sige, ako na lang ang––iyo na lang ang baon pati hotel,’” Duterte said.
Duterte earlier promised a Hong Kong vacation for the female soldiers who fought for the liberation of Marawi when he visited the frontlines of the besieged city in September.
On Oct. 17, Duterte declared Marawi City free from terrorists following the deaths of terror leaders Isnilon Hapilon and Omar Maute a day before.
Latest data showed that a total of 47 civilians, 165 soldiers and police officers, and 920 Maute members have been killed in the firefight in Marawi City since May 23.