By PNA and Argyll Cyrus B. Geducos
President Duterte on Friday encouraged more Maute Group-Islamic State members to surrender as he promised to provide them with housing, capital, land, and employment.
“I propose to you, the other Maranaos, you better come down and as you can see your arms, there is really no purpose,” Duterte said in a speech during the presentation of surrendered firearms and distribution of assistance to Maute Group-IS surrenderees in Marawi City.
“I look forward to see more surrenderees and comfortable lives for the Maranaos. You come down and we will talk how we can improve your lives,” he added.
Duterte said he would bring Maute surrenderees in Malacañang and then to Malaysia to learn the technology of developing palm oil and rubber tree plantations.
“I told the Maute surrenderees, you go to Malacañang and let’s talk. I will bring you preferably in Malaysia. You study there how to plant rubber (tree) and palm oil,” he said.
Duterte said he will ask newly installed Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad to assist the Maute surrenderees.
“I will talk to him that I will send you there to study. The whole of Maute Group can go there,” he said.
The President said he is ready to proclaim land reform in Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur as well as in Maguindanao and distribute the government property to the poor Maranaos.
He assured residents displaced by a five-month conflict between the government troops and Maute Group last year that they will get back their land in Marawi.
“I will commit to you, as a Maranao, I will commit to you now that I will pour assistance, tractors, fertilizers, and even seedlings,” Duterte said, drawing applause from the audience.
He appealed to the Maranao people to give the government enough time to rebuild Marawi and establish the goodwill.
“There will be some improvements only if you give me time,” Duterte said.
The President said his top aide Bong Go can help facilitate the completion of the government’s assistance to the Maute surrenderees.
