ZAMBOANGA CITY – President Duterte has one wish this Christmas – peace in the Philippines.
“I’d like to greet everybody, lahat na, to the Filipino people, the law-abiding, and of course, if they find it in their hearts though this is not really something for the Moro but you know that this kind of events is closest to the hearts of the Christians. Na we can have a peaceful Christmas,” Duterte said in his visit to the Armed Forces Western Mindanao Command here Saturday.
Duterte expressed hopes that gun battles will take a back seat this Christmas as he urged the communist rebels and the Abu Sayyaf Group to take a vacation.
“Nakikiusap ako sa lahat na if we can have a peaceful Christmas. Maybe we can resume fighting some other day,” he said.
“I’d like to greet everybody, the communists, the Abu Sayyaf, in behalf of the, sa taong Pilipino, Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year for all,” he added.
The Chief Executive visited the AFP Wesmincom a day after state visits to Cambodia and Singapore.
He gave financial assistance to the 16 soldiers who were wounded in encounters with the Abu Sayyaf Group in Basilan and Sulu and confined at the Camp Navarro General Hospital here.
Duterte also gave financial assistance to the families of three soldiers killed in action.
The President talked to the wounded soldiers and the families of the slain military men and gave them words of encouragement while extending the financial assistance and giving mobile phones.
Duterte expressed deep concern for the country’s military men. “We should take care of our soldiers. They are giving up their lives for this Republic…at saka just to ease up their pain and their suffering.”
Meanwhile, Duterte attended the 38th birth anniversary celebration of boxing champ Sen. Manny Pacquiao at the jampacked KCC Mall in General Santos City Saturday.
“Sen. Manny Pacquiao, happy birthday; to the wife, Jinky, happy birthday. The birthday of the husband is the birthday of the wife; the birthday of the wife is always the birthday of the husband,” Duterte said in his message.
The President advised Sen. Pacquiao to remain humble. “Stay humble. Mababa lang,” he said.
Sen. Pacquiao thanked God and his family as well as the millions of fans for supporting him for what he has become today.
A touch of religiousity and the grand finale of a Mindanao-wide Bisaya singing competition marked Sen. Pacquiao’s birthday. (PNA)
