Duterte, leaders call for national unity and peace
PRESIDENT Duterte has called on Filipinos to foster national unity and to work together for “a society grounded on love, mutual respect, and understanding.”
Let’s have unity, let’s thrive on love, the President urged amid the presence of destabilizing forces.
*** Vice President Leni Robredo and other national leaders have likewise appealed for peace and harmony in the country.
Solidarity and freedom from fear and terrorism, they stressed.
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“In times when all odds seem stacked against us… let us channel our energies towards fostering national unity,” Duterte stressed.
“Dedicating our lives to the betterment of humanity is the best way to demonstrate our devotion to God,” the President said in his Eid’l Fitr message.
*** “Remember to thank Allah for bestowing… the resolve, courage, and fortitude to obey his commandments during the blessed month of Ramadhan,” the President said.
“May this renewed sense of spiritual accomplishment give you the strength and courage to cultivate our communities,” Duterte added.
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The President issued his call for unity amid terror threats from the Islamic State (IS)-influenced Maute Group which has tried to take control of Marawi City, and the BIFF which created trouble in Pigcawayan, North Cotabato.
We will fight you if you insist, he warned them.
*** But Duterte expressed solidarity with Muslim Filipinos by signing Proclamation No. 235 declaring last Monday a national holiday throughout the country in observance of Eid’l Fitr.
“The entire Filipino nation should have the full opportunity to join their Muslim brothers and sisters in peace and harmony in the observance and celebration of Eid’l Fitr,” he said in his proclamation.
*** Likewise, Vice President Leni Robredo said she hoped for peace and harmony, especially for the Muslims.
“We want to feel love, not hatred, in our hearts. We are hoping that Allah will hear the prayers in your hearts and accept your sacrifices and offerings,” Robredo said.
*** Speaking in her weekly radio program “BISErbisyong Leni,” Robredo said she is praying for Muslims to achieve their long-time goal, which is peace, and to be able to restart their lives following the armed conflict in Marawi City.
“We are also praying for our soldiers and policemen who are risking their lives for the safety of our country,” she said.
*** At the Senate, Senator Grace Poe urged Filipinos to “stand together against the forces that seek to instill fear in us.”
“As a consequence of the fighting, thousands of families have left their homes and are in makeshift evacuation centers – trying to conquer the hunger, disease, fear, the heat and cold,” she lamented on the Marawi siege.
*** “After a month of fasting, introspection and quest of faith, let the occasion of Eid’l Fitr serve as symbol of our collective pursuit towards peace and unity, especially in this time when our solidarity as a nation is being put to test with the fighting in Marawi City,” the senator said.
“This is a time for great hope and courage to stand up” for the Philippines “with the guidance of Allah who brings the promise of love and peace,” said Poe. *** Sen. Joel Villanueva also called for unity amid the conflicts that have brought strife to Muslim areas in Mindanao.
“This is not the time to see our differences, but a chance to look after one another. Let us all pray together for peace to prevail in Marawi City, and the rest of Mindanao, a peace that would put an end to poverty and usher progress in a land that has long been deprived of the greatness it deserves,” he said.
*** Meanwhile, the Northeastern Mindanao Police Regional Office 13 (PRO13) deployed more police officers in the field to maintain peace and order.
Police assistance desks ready for immediate action on any untoward incident, it assured.
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Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Spokesman Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla said AFP chief of staff Gen. Eduardo Año and Western Mindanao Command chief Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr. have approved military and “humanitarian” operations, as needed, for Marawi City.
Military men and civilian rescue teams ready for any eventuality.
*** Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella also said BRP Davao del Sur, a massive new ship, will help troops in battling extremists in Marawi City as well as assist in the rebuilding efforts afterwards.
Strategic sealift vessel would deliver military supplies and relief goods as well as treat injured troops, he said.
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Meanwhile, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Oscar Abayalde and Muslim leaders in Metro Manila have agreed to help maintain peace and order in the metropolis, said NCRPO Spokesperson Chief Insp. Kimberly Molitas.
Good move. No to Marawi siege spillover. *** “They declared their cooperation with us in maintaining peace and order, they will keep their communication line open with us and that they will police their own ranks,” assured Molitas.
Good. No to fake news and no to bombing plots in the metropolis.