Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo, local officials and other stakeholders on Wednesday rallied behind government efforts to end the war in Marawi City and promote peace amidst the terror threat in the country.
Their pledges of commitment were made during the launching of the Support Our Troops in Marawi movement at the Robinsons Place shopping mall in this city, the capital of Negros Oriental.
Degamo, in his message read by former governor and vice governor Atty. Jose Baldado, lauded the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) members who are fighting to maintain peace and security in the communities.
“I know how hard and life-threatening your duty is. It entails sacrificing your heart (and) your life for the love of your country,” the governor said.
“Our flag still flies proudly in many parts of the country because of the bravery, gallantry of these men and therefore it is just proper and fitting that we give them much needed support and assistance in whatever means we could”.
He said simple acts of kindness for these troops, such as providing them food and water and other basic needs, would help boost the morale for those who are still out there in Marawi fighting the local terrorist group.
Side from supplies, the governor said people should also offer prayers for the troops whose lives are at risk as they continue to fight for peace in Marawi.
For his part, Mayor Felipe Antonio Remollo warned that the threat of terrorism has “struck the entire world.”
Remollo is hoping the conflict in Marawi City, which he described as a beautiful city, will soon be over. Once rebuilding starts, he said it could become the “summer capital of Mindanao.”
“We honor our troops who have sacrificed their lives and the least we can do is support them,” the mayor said.
Remollo added support must be given as well to the evacuees from Marawi City, saying that the Maranaws are freedom-loving Filipinos and simple traders.
When evacuees arrived here, the city welcomed them and provided them with basic needs as they are also fellow Filipinos, Remollo said.
Mayor Remollo expressed optimism that the Marawi conflict will end soon.
Meanwhile, Bais City Mayor Mercedes Goñi, also thanked the police and military who have sacrificed their lives for the sake of peace in Marawi.
Mayor Goñi said she tried her best to give what the police and Army need, as they are “our heroes” because our lives depend on them.
She also emphasized that Muslims are to be treated the same way as Ilocanos, Bicolano, Tagalog, Kapampangan, Ilonggo, Cebuano or Tausug, because “we are all Filipinos.”
A message from Rep. Jocelyn Limkaichong of the 1st district of Negros Oriental was read during the program.
“The terror groups who continue to bring havoc in this country should not be tolerated at all costs and must be defeated with all seriousness. We must stop their growing influence so as to discourage others who are willing to emulate their deeds,” she said.
As citizens, Limkaichong said people should cooperate and support the PNP and AFP in whatever way possible.
“Let us remember that these men and women in service are also sons, fathers, daughters, mothers, brothers, and children,” she said.
The Support Our Troops in Marawi project here is spearheaded by the Bantay Bayanihan Para sa Kapayapaan, headed by Marietta Jambora, in cooperation with the provincial government, the city government and other stakeholders.
The project here involves the selling of T-shirts at P150.00 each, with P20.00 to be given to the Marawi troops through Operation Blessings Foundation Philippines.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1004408
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