Dureza a big loss: Lanao Sur officials

Lanao del Sur officials are saddened by the sudden resignation of Presidential Peace Adviser Secretary Jesus Dureza but hoped that the replacement will be just as aggressive in prioritizing efforts for the Marawi rehabilitation.

Vice Governor Mamintal Adiong Jr. said Dureza is a big loss to the administration’s peace-building efforts.

“Syempre, parang mag-uumpisa na naman tayo, yung pauupuin ng ating presidente, magsisimula na naman tayong makipag-usap. Malaking kawalan si Secretary Dureza, matagal na kaming partner nyan,” Adiong said.

Adiong however said they remain optimistic and are ready to help the next secretary especially in creating programs to rebuild Marawi City.

Assemblyman Zia Alonto Adiong (Lanao del Sur) said Dureza has been instrumental in creating the peace corridor during the Marawi siege, to help civilians affected by ongoing fighting between government and Maute terrorists in Marawi City.

He said the Marawi people hopes that even with Dureza’s departure, they can still continue working with the Office of the Presidential Pewce Adviser (OPAPP) in making sure that Marawi

rehabilitation shall still be prioritized by the Duterte administration.

Marawi City Mayor Majul Gandamra meanwhile said he respects the reasons of the resignation but hopes that programs that Dureza started shall be continued.

“Officials come and go pero andyan parin yung programa patuloy pa rin yan, we respect the reasons for resigning, but we are hoping that yung programs sa OPAPP ay magpapatuloy,” Gandamra said.

Dureza has announced his resignation on Tuesday by posting his resignation letter to President Rodrigo Duterte in Facebook.

He said he was glad “but with some amount of sadness” over Duterte’s announcement at the National Peace and Order Council meeting that he was firing two OPAPP officials due to corruption. He fired Undersecretary Ronald Flores and Yeshter Donn Bacay.

“I truly am sad that OPAPP (Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process), as an institution which I head, had to suffer publicly due to the acts of a few. Nonetheless, I take full responsibility and apologize for all this,” Dureza said.

Duterte meanwhile in his speech Tuesday night at the inauguration of the Bohol-Panglao International Airport, said, he has accepted the resignation of Secretary Dureza.

“And I fired his USec, si Ronald Flores, OPAPP. That is the presidential office for the peace process and a director, I said, Yeshter Donn Baccay. And I’m still going to fire another one, baka (maybe) tomorrow.”

Flores is the Undersecretary for Support Services and National Program Manager of the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan or PAMANA. Baccay is Assistant Secretary for Support Services and PAMANA Concerns. PJ Orias