BALIK BARIL PROGRAM. President Rodrigo R. Duterte delivers his speech during the Balik Baril program launching in Maguindanao on Wednesday (April 25). (Photo by PNA Cotabato bureau)
BULUAN, Maguindanao -- President Rodrigo R. Duterte led on Wednesday the launching of the province-wide Balik Baril program that was highlighted by the surrender of some 900 loose firearms presented before him at the town’s gymnasium here.
The firearms were collected from civilians of the province’s 36 municipalities through the intercession of the local government units the past three months. In his speech before province officials and a crowd of 1,000 at the jam-packed gymnasium, the President cited the importance of peace and problem settlements sans the barrels of guns.
“Ngayon, kung wala kayong paniwalaan. Wala talagang pag-asa,” the President said. “If you don’t believe in the national leadership and to think I’m one of you o sinong paniwalaan ninyo? ‘Di ang last recourse kung hindi tayo magkaintindihan (ay) armas. Anong maibigay niyan sa pamilya mo?” he added.
“Come to think of it. Ma-edukar mo ba ang pamilya mo diyan? Can you educate them using your gun? And you plant --- the livelihood, gamitin mo ‘yan. Ako, alam ko yung Moro insecurity,” the Chief Executive emphasized. The President noted that no one wins in war or violence, “Wala naman nananalo hanggang ngayon. O ‘di bakit hindi na lang kayo makinig?” he said.
Duterte said once the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) would be passed, he would proclaim the entire island of Mindanao as a land reform area. The BBL is seeking the establishment of a proposed new autonomous political entity known as the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, replacing the current Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
“So let us fast-track the passage of BBL. I am promising you it would be passed before May (this year),” he said.
“I said I will proclaim the entire Mindanao, almost, as a land reform area,” he added.
While here, the President also led the symbolic awarding of livelihood assistance packages to former rebels and their families with the assistance of Maguindanao Governor Esmael Mangudadatu.
Mangudadatu, for his part, has sought the help of government line agencies, local and international non-government organizations, serving Maguindanao to compliment the Balik Baril program aimed at retrieving unauthorized guns in conflict-affected areas of the autonomous region.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1033257
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