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PNoy to PMA graduates: Solve PHL's security woes through peaceful means


BAGUIO CITY — President Benigno Aquino III on Sunday encouraged graduating cadets from the Philippine Military Academy not to resort to violence in solving the country's problems. In a speech delivered before the 124-member PMA Class of 2013, Aquino – the military's commander-in-chief – said the country's security woes should only be addressed through peaceful means. "Kung dadaanin sa pagkamaton at dahas, lolobo lamang ang problema at ipapamana sa susunod na salinlahi. Ang hinahon ang tunay na sukatan ng tapang at panindigan," the President said during the PMA graduation ceremonies in Fort del Pilar Sunday morning. He cited as an example the ongoing battle between followers of the Sulu Sultanate and Malaysian authorities in Sabah, where he said "personal interests" took over the nation's welfare. “Ang malinaw: Sino man ang may pakana, ang inisip nila ay ang pansariling interes lamang, habang ipinapain ang kapakanan ng kanilang kapwa. At maniwala man po tayong nais lamang talagang manindigan ng mga nagtungo roon—‘di ba’t mas produktibo kung ang paninindigan ay dadaanin sa matinong usapan, at kung ito’y isusunod sa batas at sa malinaw na patakaran?” the President said. This year's PMA graduating class called itself "Pudang Kalis," which stands for "Puso't Dangal ng mga Kawal ng Lahing Nagkakaisa." The phrase is also derived from a Muslim term which means "sacred sword." Also present at the PMA graduation rites were Vice President Jejomar Binay, Defense chief Voltaire Gazmin and Armed Forces chief General Emmanuel Bautista. West PHL Sea, Bangsamoro Aquino mentioned the Philippine government’s handling of the West Philippine Sea dispute as an example of how “productive” diplomacy is. “‘Di ba’t gaya nang sa Sabah, paninindigang nakatuntong sa isang rules-based approach, at nakatuon sa mapayapang resolusyon, ang ating isinusulong sa Bajo de Masinloc?” the President said, referring to conflict with China over Panatag Shoal. Last January, the Philippines sought to resolve its territorial disputes with China through international arbitration. The President also bragged about the “positive fruits” of the Philippine government’s peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. “Mas epektibo, mas produktibo, at mas kapaki-pakinabang para sa lahat ang taos-pusong diyalogo, kaysa pagtutok ng armas sa isa’t isa,” he said. “Ang hinahon at katuwiran ay hindi katumbas ng kaduwagan—bagkus, ito ang sukat ng tunay na tapang at paninindigan, dahil sa ganitong paraan, naisasaalang-alang ang kapakanan hindi lamang ng mga nasa kasalukuyan, kundi lalo na ng mga darating pa sa kinabukasan.” — DVM/LBG, GMA News
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