It may seem to be an impossible dream or an unreachable star but President Duterte renewed his appeal for peace in Mindanao on Sunday, saying that he is willing to fight until the end if it would mean putting an end to the war in the island.
(ACE MORANDANTE/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
During his visit to government troops at the Kuta Heneral Teodulfo Bautista Headquarters in Jolo, the President appealed to Sulu Governor Abdusakur Tan to lend a hand in pushing for peace in the island.
“Why don’t you try to help me within the next few months just to talk about peace? It need not really be an arrangement. Just talk about peace,” he said.
“I address you because ikaw ‘yung nirerespeto ko (I respect you). You have a colorful life. Kung sa patay, dapat patay ka na sa dinaanan mo sa buhay (You should have been dead by now after everything you've been through) and yet you are still around,” he added.
Duterte said it was really up to the leaders to try to bring peace in the country.
“It is impossible dream. It is an unreachable star. But it behooves upon us, tayong mga (us) leaders, even to try and even to talk as we wage war,” he said.
Duterte said that he was willing to fight until the end if it would mean putting an end to the war in Mindanao.
“If we cannot really agree, then we fight and we fight hard hanggang magkaubusan na (Until all of us are gone). Maybe by that time, kung ubos na ang lahat, wala ng giyera (When everyone is dead, then the war would be over),” he said.
“So ang hinihingi ko lang sa inyo na (So what I'm asking from you now is) even as you fight, think about peace,” he added. According to the President, he has no problem with insurgents' mission for the greater glory of Allah but said soldiers also have a mission to crush the insurgents.
“In the meantime, we fight. Sa ngayon (For now), I cannot offer anything because I also have my mandate. I do not only order, I impose duties na gawin ninyo ito (that you should do this),” Duterte said.
“But if in God’s time, maybe – kailan ‘yon? (when will that be?) – we will have a time to talk and to ponder about peace at ‘yung mga anak ninyo (and your children)," he added.
Honor the troops
In his speech, Duterte honored the eight soldiers and a police officer who died from the blasts that were caused by two suicide bombers.
He said that the incident will only further strengthen the government's resolve to crush the lawless elements behind the attack.
He said the country should not be complacent even if everyone is busy fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Right now, our entire nation is dealing with the global health crisis, yet, enemies of the state will still find the energy to perpetuate the acts of violence and terrorism,” President Duterte said.
“This unfortunate incident is only one of the countless incidents that proved that we should never be complacent when it comes to terrorism,” he added.
He assured the soldiers of his support as their duties became even more complicated with protecting the country from lawless elements and helping in the fight against the pandemic.
"Now more than ever, our nation needs our Armed Forces to ensure that these terrorists will never succeed in their pointless goals," he said.
"Bilang isang Pilipino, ibibigay ko sa inyo ang lahat ng suporta na kailangan ninyo para matupad ang inyong misyon dito sa Jolo (As a Filipino, I will give you all the support you need so you can fulfill your mission here in Jolo). I commit myself to work with you my dear troops to ensure that these terrorists will have no future in this country," he added.
Give justice to innocent victims
Meanwhile, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go reiterated yesterday his call for all government agencies to ensure that those responsible for the twin bombings in Jolo last August 24 are held accountable for their actions.
“Bigyan natin ng hustisya ang mga inosenteng buhay na nawala dahil sa walang saysay na terorismo (Let us give justice to the lives of the innocent victims of the terrorists’ bombings),” Go said.
President Duterte and Senator Go left Davao for Jolo, Sulu on August 30.
Go, chairman of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, previously explained that the Anti Terrorism Law (ATL) must be implemented properly to enforce the law within its bounds against those who break it in order to stop terrorism at its roots.
“We should use the teeth of the ATL to fight terrorism, especially in Jolo. The fight against terrorists continues. We need to show that the government is there for them,” Go said in Pilipino.
In his message during the online concert held in Davao City yesterday, Go also emphasized the need for unity and hope to overcome this time of crisis and thanked everyone for their solidarity.
“I thank all those who believe in the President. The real leader in this current crisis is none other than our President and he wants to express his thanks to all of you,” he said in Pilipino.