Robredo calls for unity as Marawi rehab starts

VICE

President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo called for unity as the national government starts the rehabilitation of the war-torn Marawi City.

Robredo, who led the launching launching of “Istorya ng Pag-Asa” at Santuario de La Salle in Bacolod City Thursday, said it is a relief to the Filipino people that the problem in Marawi is about to end after almost five months of fighting between government troops and Islamic Statelinked terrorists.

She lauded the soldiers for risking their lives so the government can reclaim the city.

Early this week, President Rodrigo Duterte declared Marawi is liberated from terror after the terrorists’top leaders Isnilon Hapilon and Omar Maute were killed last Monday.

Robredo said the “end of hostilities” is also a signal that there are still many things to do to curb insurgency and terrorism.

“Ang rebelde ng Marawi, hindi yun basta-basta. Tingin ko, hindi kaya ng gobyerno lamang. Tingin ko, tulong-tulongan natin lahat. Eto ang panahon na i-remind tayo na mayroon tayong dapat asikasuhin (The rebel forces in Marawi is not a joke. I think the government can’t do this alone. I think we need to help each other. This is the time to remind us we need to do something),” she said.

The vice president called on everyone to “set aside our indifferences and help each other” as the government is rebuilding Marawi.

She said now is not the time to blame each other, but the time to unite.

“This is a call to everybody. We should not ask what the government can still do, but we should ask ourselves what we can do to help the government,” the vice president said.

Asked if the government should already lift the military rule in Mindanao, Robredo said the declaration of martial law was based on the premise of peace and order situation.

The vice president said that “we’re not in the position” to say it’s already time to lift martial law.

“The (Department of) National Defense and the military said before that as soon as the clear and present danger is gone, it will be lifted,” she said.

Robredo said she is hoping the government will “make good with their word so the trust of the public in the military and the government will be maintained.”

The vice president said she is hoping the country won’t reach the state of fear or helplessness.

This is the reason, she said, that she is going around the country to collect inspirational stories, or “Istorya ng Pag-Asa,” which will be compiled in a coffee table book.

“‘Istorya ng Pag-Asa’is a humble contribution of my office on the pervading sense of helplessness and fear because we don’t want it to happen,” Robredo said. (Marchel P. Espina/SunStar Bacolod)