Philippines’ Duterte to deliver state of nation speech

By Hader Glang

ZAMBOANGA CITY -- President Rodrigo Duterte is set Monday to deliver his second State of the Nation Address as the country continues to confronted ongoing fighting between troops and Daesh-linked terrorists in the south.

Duterte is expected to begin his address at the Batasan Pambansa Complex in Quezon City, presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella told reporters in a news briefing.

"On the whole it will be frank, challenging, realistic but hopeful," he said.

Duterte's communications chief Martin Andanar said the address will be optimistic.

"The theme is a comfortable life for all. It will focus around prosperity for all, law and order, and peace," he said.

The Philippine National Police said 6,300 police personnel are being deployed to eight areas of the Batasang Pambansa Complex in Quezon City to thwat any eventualities that may arise during the political event.

Duterte's government is currently confronting a terrorist rampage by the Daesh-linked Maute group and Abu Sayyaf terrorists that laid siege to Marawi in late May that has already claimed more than 500 lives.

The fighting has prompted Duterte to declare martial law on the whole of Mindanao island. Congress on Saturday granted his request to extend the declaration until Dec. 31.

Since last year, Duterte has spent much in his time defending a crackdown on illegal drugs that has killed thousands of suspected criminals. He also raised hopes of ending the decades-long communist insurgency.

But last week, he said he no longer wanted to talk peace with maoist rebels after a string of attacks by the New People's Army.