Butig, Lanao del Sur
November 30, 2016

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte called for the people’s cooperation to attain peace as he talked to men of the 103rd Brigade Tactical Command Post (TCP) in Butig, Lanao del Sur.

“I plead to you. I plead to all of you, to all Muslim, Moro political leaders, men of influence, ‘yung mga scholar. We can continue talking kung saan ninyo gusto,” he said to the Moro people.

The President mentioned how he garnered support from the Mindanaoan people in the last Presidential election. He expressed his gratitude and called on them to help him bring peace to the land.

“In all of the Muslim areas here in Mindanao, nanalo ako overwhelmingly. I would like to thank my katutubo ko dito sa Lanao del Sur. Salamat sa inyo at sana naman, magkaroon tayo ng middle ground. Alam mo, mahal ko kayo at sana tulungan ninyo na lang ako kaysa makipag-away ng gobyerno na wala namang katapusan,” he said.

He also reiterated the importance of federalism in achieving peace in the country. He said that his plan is to align the constitutional provisions to a federal set up. However, the problem that he sees is how to come up with a peaceful community for the mean time.

“I cannot be forever traveling here every month para lang makipag-usap at pagtalikod ko, patayan na naman. There has to be a timeline. It could be forever. It could be during my term. It could be beyond my term but there is certainly a limit,” the Commander in Chief added.

Furthermore, he gave his assurance to help Mindanao with its needs and to restore the barter trade to better the lives of the Moro people.

“Basta kapag dumating ang mga aid, unahin ko ang Mindanao. Ibuhos ko dito sa Moro areas, sigurado ‘yan. Pangako ko ‘yan. I will open the barter trade there and whatever that could make our lives more comfortable. But please tulungan ninyo ako. Kayong mga Moro na nakakaintindi sa problema ko, tulungan ninyo ako,” he said.

President Duterte was accompanied in his visit by National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana.

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