By ARGYLL CYRUS B. GEDUCOS
President Duterte renewed his appeal for lasting peace in Mindanao as he asked residents to give the newly signed Bangsa-moro Organic Law a chance to succeed.
The President, in a speech in Jolo, Sulu last Friday, a day after he signed the BOL, formerly known as the Bangsamoro Basic Law, reiterated his appeal for peace, noting that civilians will be the ones who will suffer most when a war breaks out.
“Iyong BBL tapos na. Bigyan lang natin ng panahon. Huwag tayong mag-giyera,” Duterte said. “Ang problema, ang mga mahirapan ang mga bata, matanda, pati mga babae. Mag-iwan lang tayo ng maraming orphans,” he added.
The President said he is willing to talk to armed groups in Min-danao anew in the hope of bringing peace.
“Huwag natin pasukan ‘yan giyera. Hindi panahon natin ‘yan. Hindi ‘yung away na pwede ta-yong makipagsapalaran na ubusan,” Duterte said. “Mag-usap na lang. Iyong Abu Sayyaf, mag-usap na lang tayo,” he added.
Duterte said that nothing will come out if the government and the armed groups will continue to fight, and that even killing him will not do anything good.
“Ano bang gawain natin? Magpatayan tayong lahat? Ako, pwede niyo akong patayin maski saan. Anong makukuha ninyo?” he asked. “O kung mamatay itong mga sundalo ko bukas, marami namang papasok. Walang katapusan,” he added.
Duterte said armed groups in Mindanao should take advantage of the fact that the country now has a Moro as President. He appealed to them to give him a chance to talk peace with them.
“Ngayon, may Presidente kayo na may dugong Moro. ‘Di bigyan ninyo ako konting panahon,” he said.
Duterte said that he is willing to confer the Order of Lapu-Lapu on Abu Sayyaf members, the same award he gives to soldiers fighting for the government.
“Ito ang binibigay ko sa mga sundalo ko. Iyong mga Abu Sayyaf na gusto ng medalya ng Lapu-Lapu, sabihin mo pagbalik ko kasi ako ang maglagay rin sa kanila para tabla. Pero walang away ha?,” he said.
“‘Pag matapang ka na Pilipino, ito ang ibigay ko sa’yo. Sundalo na Moro, ito ang ibigay ko, Order of Lapu-Lapu,” he added.
