By Junex Doronio
MANILA — As some anti-Marcos individuals couldn’t help but admire President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr.’s commitment to achieve long lasting peace in the country, the Commander-in-Chief has continued to urge insurgents in Mindanao to lay down their arms and vowed government support for them to have productive lives.
“We are still trying to bring those who are still fighters to come down from the mountains and to join society,” Marcos Jr. said when interviewed by reporters after he witnessed the destruction of around 400 surrendered firearms during the Panabangan Si Kasanyangan (Peace Offering Ceremony) at Sumisip, Basilan on Saturday (2 March 2024).
The President then gave his assurance that the government would give them aid, livelihood, and shelter if they lay down their arms.
“And we, for our part, will continue to support everything that they need in terms of housing, in terms of livelihood, in terms of schools, in terms of infrastructure. And that’s the role that we will play,” Marcos Jr. stressed.
Marcos Jr. noted in his speech that the province of Basilan was once a “ground zero” of war but has since turned into an epicenter of peace.
“A province that was once tainted by violence and terrorism is now a zone of peace, made possible not by military might alone but more so by a people saying no to violence,” the President said.
He also cited Basilan’s geographical location and quality of soil as an ideal food hub that can help eradicate the country’s food security troubles.
“You have a land area twice the size of Singapore, blessed with a rich soil, above-all more or less typhoon-free, which makes you an ideal bulwark in our fight for food security,” Marcos Jr. said.
(el Amigo/MNM)