Army lauds OSG help to secure land for Marawi camp

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 14, 2019): Army lauds OSG help to secure land for Marawi camp

The Philippine Army (PA) on Monday expressed its appreciation to the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) lawyers who assisted the service in acquiring more land to build camps which will further secure Marawi City in Lanao Del Sur from further terror threats.

“The legal possession of the land enables the Philippine Army to efficiently accomplish its mission,” PA chief-of-staff, Maj. Gen. Jesus Sarsagat said during the event honoring the services of the OSG lawyers.

Sarsagat said the PA’s newly-acquired land is a strategic location to protect the people of Marawi against terrorism.

The PA successfully acquired the “writ of possessions” for the more than 10 hectares of land at Barangay Caloocan East and Barangay Kapantaran in Marawi City, Lanao Del Sur through OSG headed by lawyer Peñafrancia Carpio-Devesa together with other legal counsels -- lawyers Ma. Felina Constancia B. Yu-Basangan, Joseph Ryan C. Abalos, Glenn Thyron S. Ancheta, and Mark Anthony C. Cabasag.

On May 23, 2017, Maute group terrorists attacked and occupied key positions in Marawi City before being forced out by the military five months later.

More than 1,000 Maute terrorists including its top leaders, Omar Maute and Abu Sayyaf sub-commander Isnilon Hapilon, were neutralized while around 170 soldiers and policemen were killed in the five-month conflict.

“This significant endeavor between the Philippine Army and the OSG symbolize our continuous commitment to effectively fulfill the whole-of-nation approach,” Sarsagat said.

“This will serve as an inspiration to our men and women in uniform and relevant stakeholders in pursuit of our desire to serve the people and secure the land,” he added.

At present, Mindanao is still under martial law which President Rodrigo Duterte declared following the Marawi siege. It will remain in effect until December this year.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1083081