MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte promised to protect the fragile peace emanating in Mindanao as he cautioned the extremists from attempting to sow violence in the region.
Duterte said the Eid al-Fitr celebration should remind the Filipinos of “our shared pursuit to establish lasting peace and stability across the country, especially in Mindanao.”
“Allow me to take this moment to assure you that this administration will endeavor to preserve the fragile peace that we have built in this region that I call home,” Duterte said in Davao City.
“Any form of violence against the Muslim community or any other tribe especially those arising from religious extremism, hatred, discrimination and misguided beliefs will never be tolerated and will be dealt with by the full force of the law,” he added.
Duterte said he hoped his moves to ensure lasting peace in Mindanao, including the creation of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, will not go to waste.
The new Bangsamoro region, which replaced the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, enjoyed the expanded land and water jurisdiction, fiscal autonomy and increased share in national government resources, among others.
“With the creation of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao – a campaign promise that we delivered – we can work more closely and efficiently with our Bangsamoro brothers and sisters in our pursuit to foster a more harmonious and meaningful relationship among all ethnic groups in the region,” the President said.
“I hope that despite our differences, each of us will realize that we share the same desire to lead brighter and better lives filled with optimism and acceptance,” added Duterte. /PN
