JOLO, Sulu – President Rodrigo Duterte visited Sulu on Friday to
recognize the gallantry of Filipino soldiers who fought in liberating Marawi
City from Islamic extremists.
“Unang-una nagpapasalamat ako sa inyo mga sundalo ng Republika ng
Pilipinas sa sacrifice, sa pagtiis, sa lahat ng bagay, harapin ang kahirapan,
kamatayan (Foremost, I thank all soldiers of the Republic of the Philippines
for your sacrifices in all hardships),” President Duterte said in his message
after awarding the soldiers with the Order of Lapu- Lapu here in Camp General
Teodulfo Bautista.
“We had this crisis in Marawi. And I know that the Filipino soldiers
fought valiantly and we prevailed,” the President added, noting that he hates
war and nobody wins in a civil strife.
He added that he also came to Sulu to greet the troops Merry Christmas
as he invited Muslims to join Christians in celebrating the holidays.
“So pumunta ako dito to greet you, well in advance, a very Merry
Christmas. And to my Muslim brothers and sisters, celebrate with us the
holidays. We would be glad to have you join us and we will be proud with your
presence,” he said.
“It's all for human kind that time, kung maaari lang. Wala naman tayong
talagang (We really don’t have) hatred for each other to the point that we
cannot talk together. We can celebrate Christmas together," he said.
He added that he is a President for peace and does not have
authoritarian tendencies as a leader as he obeys the Constitution.
“Ikaw at ako (you and me), you know, we swore to protect the people and
defend the Republic in its integrity and territorial bounds,” he said.
The President promised the soldiers to give them all they need to
succeed in their mandate -from weapons to necessary equipment to be effective
in the field.
He also assured that they will receive adjustment in their salaries by
next year.
Meanwhile, he warned of renewed threats from the communists after the
cancellation of peace talks.
He said he halted the peace negotiations with the communists because of
their continued attacks on government forces.
Duterte said the rebels have been demanding for a coalition government,
which is something that he cannot compromise.
“So I told them, ‘I cannot give you what I do not own.’ Sovereignty is
always placed in the hands of the elected people, ‘yung gusto ng tao (that is
what people wants),” he said.
In order for the members of the police and the military to effectively
defend themselves whenever they are outside the camps, the President said he
will provide them with pistols.
Aside from conferring the Order of Lapu-Lapu on soldiers who fought in
Marawi City, the President also led the handover of side arms to the members of
the Armed Forces deployed in Sulu.
Also present during the event were: Hollywood actor Steven Seagal;
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana;
Special Assistant to the President Bong Go;
Presidential Adviser for Military Affairs Arthur Tabaquero; AFP Chief of Staff,
Gen. Rey Leonardo Guerrero; Philippine National Police (PNP) Director Gen.
Ronald dela Rosa; Western Mindanao Command chief ,Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez;
Philippine Army chief, Lt. Gen. Rolando Bautista; and Joint Task Force Sulu
chief, Brig. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana. (PND) (posted by Redline News Philippines)
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