Municipality of Sumisip, Basilan
March 2, 2024
After attending the ‘Panabang Si Kasanyangan’ (Peace Offering Ceremony) at Barangay Mahatallang, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. proceeded to meet with the military officers and personnel of the 64th Infantry ‘Knights’ Battalion (64IB) in the Municipality of Sumisip, Province of Basilan.
In his speech, the President expressed his utmost gratitude to the 64IB troops for the progress and stability that are clearly evident in their area of duty, noting this as a clear testament of achieving peace and prosperity for Filipinos living in the Province.
“The progress that you have made.. maganda naman ang mga pangyayari dito at makita natin kaya nga malaking bagay na nakarating ako dito… that is a clear testament of the work that you have been doing… marami na rin tayong nagawa, marami na tayong napagsurrender, ‘yung mga iba ay na-neutralize na ang mga threat sa internal na pinag-uusapan natin,” he stated.
The Commander-in-Chief reiterated the importance of keeping the peace, not just in Basilan but in the entire nation, asking the uniformed personnel to not just execute bravery during operations, but always be the peacekeepers and peacemakers of the land.
“That does not mean mission accomplish. We still have some work to do… This is what we have to do now. Kaya sinasabi kapag pinupuntahan ko mga iba’t ibang unit natin. Talaga namang sa nakaraang kasaysayan ng Pilipinas, ang hinihingi natin sa mga sundalo natin ay maging matatapang na war fighters,” the President stressed.
“We also have to be peacemakers and peacekeepers. And that is why it is a continuing process. Hindi lang naman ganun kasimple, at basta natigil ang putukan, kailangan pa rin na tayo ay tumulong sa mga sumama na sa atin,” he added, noting all the former rebels who decided to surrender and join the government’s normalization efforts.
Likewise, President Marcos Jr. reaffirmed his continued support towards the further development of the Province of Basilan and the rest of Southern Philippines, urging the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Department of National Defense (DND) to consistently carry out the mission of keeping the security in the land.
“The locals here feel closer to Indonesia than in Manila. So that is something that we are slowly starting to change. Kaya naman gumaganda ang sitwasyon, siyempre sa trabaho ninyo, inyong mga ginagawa. All has to work together so that we bring peace,” the President emphasized.
Prior to his talk to troops, the Commander-in-Chief presided over a situation briefing with the AFP, 101 Infantry Battalion (101IB) 64IB to discuss the peace and order situation in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
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