Bong Go touts first year anniversary of insurgency-free Davao del Norte
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go has lauded the local government of Davao del Norte for successfully purging insurgents from its locality.
Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go (Photo courtesy of O/S Sen. Bong Go)
Go, vice chairman of the Senate Committee on National Defense, earlier participated in the celebration of the first year anniversary of insurgency-free Davao del Norte held in Tagum City last Tuesday, June 13. Aside from Go, local officials, community leaders, police, military and other uniformed personnel, as well as residents attended the event to commemorate the province’s triumph of peace, unity, and progress over violence and division. In his speech, Go recalled his experiences in the region decades ago, together former president Rodrigo Duterte who was then mayor of Davao City. He shared stories of their visits to Davao del Norte and Davao de Oro, where they rescued abducted soldiers and police officers from the hands of the New People's Army. He further cited the significance of peace, particularly in Mindanao, and stressed that no more bloodshed should occur among fellow Filipinos. “Importante sa akin ang kapayapaan lalo na sa Mindanao. Wala na po dapat na patayan, sino ba namang gustong magpatayan. Masakit makitang kapwa Pilipino laban sa kapwa Pilipino (Peace is important to me especially in Mindanao. There is no need to kill, who wants to kill themselves? It hurts to see fellow Filipinos against fellow Filipinos),” Go said. “We hope that the government's efforts will be successful in achieving sustainable peace and development across the country,” added Go. The senator, likewise, emphasized the importance of sincerity in addressing insurgency and commended the former president for the latter's dedication and initiatives, such as Executive Order No. 70, which established the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC). The creation of the NTF-ELCAC, he said, aims to pursue a more holistic approach in fighting off insurgency.
Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go (Photo courtesy of O/S Sen. Bong Go)
Go, vice chairman of the Senate Committee on National Defense, earlier participated in the celebration of the first year anniversary of insurgency-free Davao del Norte held in Tagum City last Tuesday, June 13. Aside from Go, local officials, community leaders, police, military and other uniformed personnel, as well as residents attended the event to commemorate the province’s triumph of peace, unity, and progress over violence and division. In his speech, Go recalled his experiences in the region decades ago, together former president Rodrigo Duterte who was then mayor of Davao City. He shared stories of their visits to Davao del Norte and Davao de Oro, where they rescued abducted soldiers and police officers from the hands of the New People's Army. He further cited the significance of peace, particularly in Mindanao, and stressed that no more bloodshed should occur among fellow Filipinos. “Importante sa akin ang kapayapaan lalo na sa Mindanao. Wala na po dapat na patayan, sino ba namang gustong magpatayan. Masakit makitang kapwa Pilipino laban sa kapwa Pilipino (Peace is important to me especially in Mindanao. There is no need to kill, who wants to kill themselves? It hurts to see fellow Filipinos against fellow Filipinos),” Go said. “We hope that the government's efforts will be successful in achieving sustainable peace and development across the country,” added Go. The senator, likewise, emphasized the importance of sincerity in addressing insurgency and commended the former president for the latter's dedication and initiatives, such as Executive Order No. 70, which established the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC). The creation of the NTF-ELCAC, he said, aims to pursue a more holistic approach in fighting off insurgency.