As a Mindanaoan, one of President Duterte’s goal is to achieve a long-term and lasting peace in southern Philippines.
In his recent visit to Maguindanao, President Duterte stressed the significant role of BARMM as an instrument towards achieving lasting peace in Mindanao.
He was there to lead the distribution of farm lands to Muslims, Christians, and Lumad locals, that also included MILF members. According to reports, the present administration has already awarded Certificate of Land Ownership Award (CLOA) to more than 7,000 beneficiaries in Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) alone, including 1,736.1 hectares given to landless owners in Maguindanao on 11 February 2019. He also encouraged remaining rebels to debunk the idea of bloody wars.
The President said, “Your arms, you can bury it. You no longer need it. Just one shot, and it will be chaos. If we are just quiet, we can talk and we can give help that should be given to you.”
For the longest time, Mindanao has been marked in the world map with not-so-good news about terrorism and other chaotic activities, making people perceive that Mindanao is a dangerous place to visit or live in.
President Duterte further said that he will devote his remaining three years on programs that are truly meant to provide people in Mindanao with peace that will last.