President Aquino seeks support from local leaders to achieve peace in Mindanao

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 9): President Aquino seeks support from local leaders to achieve peace in Mindanao
 
President Benigno S. Aquino III will seek the support of local leaders in achieving peace in Mindanao in the upcoming Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) local government summit.

Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said on state-run dzRB Radyo ng Bayan that the President wants the leaders in ARMM to unite and help the peace process.

“...Sana’y humantong na (ito) doon sa pagtatatag ng Bangsamoro political entity, kapag ito ay inaprubahan ng mga mamamayan sa isang plebisito at naitatag na rin ang Bangsamoro transitional authority,” Coloma said.

(“We hope this will lead to the establishment of the Bangsamoro political entity should the people approve it in a plebiscite,” he said.)

The Bangsamoro political entity is being eyed to replace the ARMM. It has been discussed peace talks between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

Coloma also noted that with ARMM now part of a transition, the local government officials should help maintain peace and order.

"At aalamin din po ng Pangulo kung mayroong mga iba pang mahalagang usapin na local concerns ang mga local executives sa ARMM para matiyak na tumutugon ang pambansang pamahalaan sa kanilang mga pangangailangan,” he added.

(“The President also wants to know if the local executives have concerns that the national government need to address," he added.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=614240