Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo, local officials, barangay captains and other stakeholders on Wednesday rallied behind the government’s efforts to end the war in Marawi City and to 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 Dumaguete City, the capital of Negros Oriental.
Gov. Degamo, in his message, read by former governor Jose Baldado, lauded the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP), saying he has the highest respect for the men and women in uniform 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 in his message.
Degamo went on to say that “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”.
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 groups, he said.
The governor said that aside from sending supplies, the people should also offer prayers for the troops whose lives are at risk as they continue to fight for peace to once again settle in Marawi.
For his part, Dumaguete Mayor Felipe Antonio Remollo warned that the threat of terrorism in the country could not be underestimated.
In fact, terrorism has “struck the entire world”, he said.
Remollo expressed hope that the conflict in Marawi City, which he described as a beautiful city, will soon be over and when rebuilding starts it would become the “summer capital of Mindanao”.
“We honor our troops who have sacrificed their lives and the least we can do is support them” and give whatever there is for them, the mayor said.
At the same time, Mayor Remollo also stressed that support be given as well to the evacuees from Marawi City, saying that the Maranaws are a Muslim tribe who are freedom-loving Filipinos and simple traders, not the warring Muslim tribes.
That is why when the evacuees arrived here, the city welcomed them and provided them for their basic needs as they are also fellow Filipinos, Remollo said.
Mayor Remollo expressed optimism that the Marawi conflict will end soon, “to the victory of our troops” and so “we should support our President because he is beleaguered, just as we are by threats of all forms”, like the New People’s Army (NPA) who allegedly ambushed and killed six policemen and a civilian in Guihulngan City recently.
Meanwhile, Bais City Mayor Mercedes Goñi, also extended her gratitude in behalf of the local officials of Bais and its constituents to the police and military who have sacrificed their lives for the sake of peace in Marawi.
Mayor Goñi said she tries 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, which was read during the program, to continue to fight and defeat those who undermine the government.
“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.
Limkaichong went on to say that as citizens, 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.
They may not be able to return home for their next vacation, she added.
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 Dumaguete City government and other stakeholders.
Jambora said it is one way of paying tribute to the soldiers and policemen fighting the war in Marawi City and to boost their morale in the midst of the continuing war there.
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. (Judy Flores Partlow)