President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. appealed to the military to allow the newly constituted regional government a chance to transition and rule by asking the security organization to help the peace measures in Mindanao.

Speaking to the soldiers of the 6th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army stationed at Camp Siongco in Sinsuat, Maguindanao, he asserted that the government’s peace agreement with Muslim secessionists is the right course of action and that establishing a peaceful and progressive region will help ordinary people.

The military’s mission will also change as a result of the ongoing transition, Marcos emphasized while expressing his desire for a period of sustainable peace and advancement in the conflict-ridden region.

“If we are able to do that, we are able to support. Kung dati natin silang nilalabanan, they are still learning how to become a government. And we must give them a chance to learn how to become a government. We should help them,” he said.

“‘Yung mga dati nga nating kumakalaban sa Pilipinas, kumakalaban sa atin, kumakalaban sa inyo, ay ngayon naman ay mas magiging maayos for everyone involved. Na kung tayo ay magtulungan at tulungan natin sila, para – so that the functions of government will become ordinary in BARMM (Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao).”

The President also said in order to achieve long-term peace in Mindanao, the military’s new mission is to support the peace.

However, Marcos said the spoilers might still endanger the peace in the region. There are still extremist groups that have turned to banditry and causing havoc.

“They don’t talk of the religion, of ideology. Basta’t nagki-kidnap na lang, gumagawa na lang ng gulo, murder for hire, ‘yung mga ganyan. ‘Yun, nandiyan pa rin ang threat sa inyo diyan, kaya’t you cannot let your guard down also,” he told the troops.

“You have to stay vigilant and stay careful so that this peace process, hindi naman pumutok ito. And pagka may nangyari, eh tigil lahat. We will have to start again and talk to everybody again.”

And it will aid in maintaining peace if the military can do so in the areas under their control.

The commander-in-chief was in Cotabato City for the Bangsamoro Transition Authority’s inauguration before visiting with soldiers in Maguindanao.

The President reaffirmed his administration’s unshakeable commitment to the peace process in front of the Bangsamoro people and urged the regional government to implement critical laws that will institutionalize local governance and guarantee the welfare of the people.

Photo Credit: Office of the Press Secretary Website