President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Tuesday, June 20, said his administration will not allow a civil war to break out amongst Filipinos suffering the brunt of war.
“Ang malakas na driving force nila mapalitan na itong nationalism o ‘yung paghinakit nila nawalaan sila ng lupa at malipat doon sa ISIS na philosophy, gulo na ‘yan,” the Chief Executive told soldiers during his visit at Camp BGen. Edilberto Evangelista Station Hospital, 4th Infantry Division in Cagayan de Oro City.
“Gulo na ‘yan kasi ang mga Kristiyanos sa Mindanao, mag-a-armas rin. Iyan ang ating hindi na pwedeng payagan kasi ‘pag ang mag-armas na ang civilian rin, it will be a civil war,” the President noted.
The Chief Executive visited wounded-in-action soldiers and awarded them wounded Personnel Medals. They also received cash aid, among other assistance.
“So ang trabaho natin dalawa na: How to hold itong mga Kristiyanos na may armas at ito namang IS sa Maute. Kaya ang pag-asa natin diyan mapabilisin natin ang peace talks tapos sabihin ko sa kay Murad pati sa MI, “Kayo na ang bahala diyan. Tutal kung ‘yan ang gusto ninyong lugar, Central Mindanao — Lanao, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, ‘yan inyo. Huwag na lang tayong mag-away,” he said.
In an interview with reporters following his visit, the Chief Executive said the Moro Islamic Liberation Front is about to submit its version of the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law.
“The BBL tapos na. And the MI will give it to me, I will sign it doon sa Eid’l Fitr,” he told reporters.
“And if I find things in order, I will sign it. And wait for the document, the formal one and I’ll send it to Congress,” he said, noting that it’s the only way to achieve peace in Mindanao is “we go federalism.”
Meanwhile, the Commander-in-Chief expressed gratitude to the government troops and expressed condolence to the grieving families, adding that he would have wanted to personally extend his condolences.
“So pasasalamat ako sa serbisyo ninyo at ganoon lang man ang mga… Iyong namatay natin mga kapatid, kasama na ‘yung sundalo, gusto kong puntahan isa’t isa ‘yung mga pamilya pero hindi ko lang talaga kaya kasi busy ako,” he said.
“But I want to just express to them my sincerest condolence. At ako man ang unang… nasasaktan diyan. Ako ‘yung Commander-in-Chief ninyo,” he said. ###PND
