BACOLOD CITY — Vice President Leni Robredo has urged Filipinos to unite as the national government gears up for the rehabilitation of Marawi City.
“This is a call to everybody. We should not ask what the government can still do, but we should ask ourselves what we can do to help the government,” said Robredo, who graced the launch of “Istorya ng Pag-Asa” to collect inspirational stories at the Santuario de La Salle here Thursday afternoon.
Now is not the time to blame each other, but the time to unite, she said, adding that Filipinos should set aside their differences and help one another.
Robredo lauded the government troops for risking their lives during the Marawi siege.
Last Tuesday, President Rodrigo Duterte declared the liberation of Marawi, a day after Maute Group leader Omar Maute and Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon were killed by soldiers.
Moreover, Robredo said the end of hostilities also signaled that many things had to be done to address insurgency and terrorism.
She said that since the declaration of martial law was based on the peace and order situation, “we’re not in the position” to say it’s time to lift it.
She pointed out that the Department of National Defense and the Armed Forces said earlier that as soon as the clear and present danger is gone, it would be lifted.
The vice president expressed hope that the government would “make good on their word so that the trust of the public in the military and the government would be maintained.” (Marchel Espina/PNA)
