PGMA's Statement on the Successful Military Operations in Buliok, North Cotabato |
State Dining Room, Malacanang (19 Feb 2003) |
| ON MINDANAO: I'D LIKE TO COMMEND OUR ARMED FORCES FOR THEIR SHORT AND SWIFT OPERATION IN CAPTURING AND OCCUPYING THE BULIOK SANCTUARY IN THE LIGUASAN MARSH AREA. THIS HAS BEEN USED IN THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS BY THE PENTAGON KIDNAPPING GANG AND OTHER CRIMINAL GROUPS TO ESCAPE JUSTICE, AND AS A LAUNCHING PAD FOR DESPICABLE ACTIVITIES. A CRIMINAL LAIR HAS BEEN CLEANED UP AND WE ARE NOW GOING FULL STEAM AHEAD IN RELIEF AND REHABILITATION OF THE AFFECTED COMMUNITIES. I'VE ORDERED THE SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT TO ENSURE THE ORDERLY RETURN OF THE EVACUEES BACK TO THEIR HOMES AS OPERATIONS WIND DOWN. I'M SADDENED BY THE DISPLACEMENT OF PEACEFUL FAMILIES FROM THEIR AREA, BUT SOMETIMES THIS IS THE PRICE WE HAVE TO PAY FOR LONG-TERM PEACE AND ORDER. YESTERDAY, I ORDERED THREE OF MY CABINET MEMBERS TO PROCEED IMMEDIATELY TO THE LIGUASAN MARSH AREA. SECRETARIES DINKY SOLIMAN AND GING DELES WILL MAKE SURE THAT THE NEEDS OF THE RESIDENTS OF THE AREA, ESPECIALLY THE EVACUEES, ARE MET. THEY WILL RECOMMEND TO ME SHORT AND LONG TERM PLANS THAT WOULD ASSURE THE WELL-BEING AND LIVELIHOOD OF RESIDENTS OF THE AREA. I'VE APPOINTED MY SECRETARY FOR THE PEACE PROCESS, SECRETARY ED ERMITA, TO BE MY ACTION OFFICER FROM MY ADMINISTRATION'S COMPREHENSIVE PEACE AND DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS IN THE LIGUASAN MARSH AREA. I'VE INSTRUCTED HIM TO ACCELERATE TALKS WITH INVESTORS FROM THE MIDDLE EAST WHO ARE KEEN IN HELPING DEVELOP THIS FERTILE AREA. THE LIGUASAN MARSH AREA SHOULD BE TRANSFORMED FROM BANDIT LAIR INTO A PEACEFUL AND BUSTLING AGRICULTURAL COMMUNITY. |