JV Ejercito: Rebellion will die naturally once gov't solves poverty
Former senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito on Friday expressed his belief the armed conflicts in the Philippines will “die a natural death” once the government addresses the roots of poverty, especially among rural communities.
“When there’s already food, when there are jobs and opportunities, all the rebellions and all the insurgencies will die a natural death,” Ejercito said in the latest SMNI senatorial forum at the Okada Hotel in Parañaque City.
“There’s insurgency in the east and there’s rebellion in the west. The root cause is poverty. That’s why I’m really supportive of the infrastructure development of the President,” said Ejercito.
A vocal advocate of infrastructure development, Ejercito, who is seeking another term in the Senate in the upcoming May 2022 elections, said poverty in conflict-stricken areas, particularly in Mindanao, can be addressed by improving local infrastructure.
“I think with massive infrastructure development, it will spread out development towards the different provinces in Mindanao,” he added.
Aside from bringing development beyond the country’s urban centers, the former lawmaker also said infrastructure development will generate jobs and create new opportunities for people.
Ejercito recently renewed his push for the construction of the Mindanao Railway System to promote economic development in conflict-ridden areas and “pave the way for genuine and lasting peace” in the region.