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Marcos to troops: Support peace process in BARMM but remain vigilant vs. extremists
By ANNA FELICIA BAJO,GMA NewsPresident Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has called on the military to support the peace process in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) but remain vigilant against extremist groups.
Marcos made the call during his visit to Camp Siongco in Awang, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao, on Thursday, right after he graced the inaugural session of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority parliament in Cotabato City.
The commander-in-chief of the military, Marcos said he is looking forward to a period of lasting peace and progress in BARMM as he stressed that "they are still learning how to become a government and we must give them a chance to learn how to become a government."
"'Yun ang role palagay ko is – the military is to support the peace, that is the peace process, that is what the peace process is now, and that is what we need to continue to support," Marcos said.
Still, Marcos said there are extremist groups that no longer espouse an ideology but only "banditry." Amid the presence of these groups, the President urged the government forces to remain vigilant.
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"Hindi na sila nag-uusap tungkol sa – they don’t talk of the religion, of ideology. Basta't nagki-kidnap na lang, gumagawa na lang ng gulo, murder for hire," he said.
(They no longer talk about religion and their ideology. They just engaged in kidnapping activities and murder for hire.)
"You cannot let your guard down also. 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," Marcos added.
(You have to stay vigilant and stay careful so that this peace process will not be derailed.)
Armed Forces chief of staff Lieutenant General Bartolome Vicente Bacarro, Joint Task Force Central and 6ID commander Major General Roy Galido, and Western Mindanao Command chief Lieutenant General Alfredo Rosario Jr. welcomed Marcos at the camp.
Galido presented to Marcos some confiscated and recovered firearms by the soldiers during their various peace efforts and military operations. —KBK, GMA News