BAGUIO CITY– Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Assistant Secretary Marie Banaag during radio guestings in the city over the weekend expressed thanks to Igorot soldiers who fought in Marawi conflict and also to their families for providing moral support.
“We are grateful to our fellow Igorots who did not leave Marawi and fought until the end to help gain the liberation of Marawi,” she said during an interview at Love Radio Baguio and ABS-CBN-Baguio over the weekend.
She said the government had no words to express its gratitude to all the soldiers who supported the government’s and the whole country’s fight against the terrorists and their activities.
Talking about being a proud Cordilleran, “they want Cordillerans in Mindanao because they don’t complain and they are always full of courage. Every time I am in Mindanao, I always see officials who are Cordillerans and the non-Cordillerans talking about the bravery of the Igorots. Everything about my being a Cordilleran, goes out to them,” she said.
She added that with the liberation of Marawi, some could already go home. “Sa mga asawa na nag-aantay, I’m glad some can come home, but some are still in Marawi, in Mindanao,” as there was still a need for the government soldiers and policemen to be there to secure the place.
Banaag also related the PCOO’s recent visit in Marawi where she personally met Cordilleran soldiers, “If there is anything I can say, its more than thank you, I can never thank you enough. The President, this government, can never thank you enough with your sacrifices to your country.”
She said a number of spouses and parents had sought for her help for the transfer in the assignment of their relative soldiers. “There were many asking for assistance for their relative to be brought home but I told them that this is not the time. I explained to them the situation, wherein Luzon will suffer the same fate, hopefully not, and Visayan or Mindanaoan soldiers will leave,” thus it is not the time considering the situation there.
She also expressed the reiteration of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, who did not only say, but gave his full support to soldiers and policemen, who were working hard to maintain peace and to protect the Filipinos against terrorism. (Liza Agoot/PNA)
