MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday urged the Moros to take advantage of the ratified Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) to exploit the resources and riches in their territory.
Duterte said the transition from the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) to the new Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) was part of his commitment to address historical injustices against the Moros.
“Now that you have the BOL, I guarantee you exploit your resources,” Duterte said during his speech at the Independence Day rites in Lanao del Sur.
“You don’t have the money, look for partners, exploit your territory of the riches. That was really reserved for our children. Exploit the natural resources and make the Moro rich,” he added.
Duterte said he will give chance to the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) founding chairman and former ARMM Gov. Nur Misuari as he showed willingness to help exploit the BARMM’s resources.
“At ‘yung inyong BOL kung palakihan pa ninyo ‘yan, ‘di palakihan pa ninyo. And if Misuari is willing, same. I’ll give it to him para lang makaabot natin ‘yung kapayapaan” Duterte said.
“You have the place already. It was surrendered to you, it was given to you as a brotherly act of all Filipinos. Take advantage of it and hurry up the progress of the place,” added Duterte. /PN
