"Arroyo reiterates ‘timeline’ to end rebellion in Mindanao"
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo reiterated her 2010 “timeline to end armed rebellion" at the Local Peace and Security Assembly in Mindanao over the weekend.
“Coupled with our increased budget for Mindanao is our new paradigm for peace in the island," the President said.
Mrs Arroyo said her administration’s peace formula for Mindanao "has focused on a unique combination of soft and hard power to promote peace."
“We have been able to meld together confidence-building measures grounded on strong interfaith dialogue and cultural awareness; investments in economic and basic infrastructure development; and mutual security arrangements to keep the peace in Mindanao," the President said.
“The terrorists stand in the way of bringing peace, stability and order to Southern Philippines. We have decided we must wipe them out once and for all. They are a menace to peace," Mrs Arroyo added.
She reiterated her observation that “Communist rebels have spent years as a low-level threat" and that, therefore, “it is time for their disruption of human rights to be put to rest so that the nation can move ahead."
“They impede the progress and development of a number of rural areas and they are responsible for a wide range of human rights abuses. If we are to become a First World country, we have to put a stop to their ideological nonsense and their criminal acts once and for all," she said.
"I have specified a timeline – 2010 – to end armed rebellion," the President added. - GMANews.TV
My Reaction:
I really hope that in 2010 the rebellion in Mindanao will be stopped and be erased. The rebellion is one of the reasons why our country is moving downward. It has really a big effect to the success of our country because these rebellions would give fear to the investors. But it is really hard for the government to do it. If the government fails, at least the government did something to it. And another thing let us also do our part in ending this rebellion because in this issue we the people have a big role. Let us trust the government to this and let us be cooperative and be available in anything.
