The country has attained relative peace in Mindanao particularly with the establishment of the new autonomous region in the south and through the cultivation of good relations with the Muslim population, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte said on Saturday.
“I think we have relatively peaceful Mindanao, Pastor. The contentious issue in the yesterdays were the BARMM at napagbigyan naman natin si Murad, and dito sa Jolo, in-order-an ko ang Armed Forces to place one division, marami ‘yan. And so medyo nagkalma na,” President Duterte said in an interview with Pastor Apollo Quiboloy.
“We have a good rapport with the Moro of Mindanao. And I think that just allow them in the governance of our country and give them enough elbowroom to, you know, just govern without interference of armed groups,” he added, noting only the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) is sowing mayhem because of political differences.
And for the longest time, the region hasn’t had any kidnapping incident, as well as attacks on security forces or depredation victims.
The Muslim population’s animosity with the government has also waned after the administration addressed the issues concerning Mindanao, he pointed out.
“The Moro hatred dahang-dahang nawala sa kanila because gipagbigyan natin sila sa lahat at anong hiningi nila. As a matter of fact, pinakamarami sa administrasyon ko na maraming mga Moro,” he said.
The President cited the appointments of Muslims in the government such as the new chairman of the Commission on Elections (Comelec), justices in the Supreme Court (SC) and Court of Appeals (CA), as well as officials in different government agencies.
“Even in the Cabinet may tatlo ako o apat noon, namatay lang si Alonto, and one was — got sick. But there were four of them of the maybe three and half years of my term,” he said.
“So sinadya ko ‘yan para wala silang masabi that they are being left out. And for the long list of prosecutors and judges, marami akong in-appoint, lady Moro judges at ‘yung mga prosecutors.”
Militarily, the government has achieved its objectives in keeping the peace in Mindanao, he said, stressing if the equilibrium is maintained, the region will be trouble-free.
The President also mentioned during the interview the administration’s successes in modernizing the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), telling Quiboloy that his government doubled the AFP’s budget for its modernization thrust.
The AFP, he said, now has a fleet of new fighter jets, helicopters, and also added heavy lift aircraft.
“I would say that we have a strong military. That is what I promised. I said that I’ll leave the presidency with a strong military.”
Aside from modernizing the armed forces, the government also increased the pay of personnel, boosting their morale, according to the President.
“I cannot make you very happy but I can assure you of a comfortable life. Ngayon, makabili na. Sa totoo lang ‘yung — maski ‘yung ano ko mga policewoman ko na sama-sama ko, nakapagbili na sila ng ‘yung maliliit na Toyota,” he said. PND
