Municipality of Sumisip, Basilan
March 2, 2024
“A province that was once tainted by violence and terrorism is now a zone of peace, made possible not by mere military might but more so by a people saying no to violence. This is the kind of peace that we see the dawn of here in Basilan,” President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. emphasized when he visited the Province of Basilan to lead a Peace Offering Ceremony to former rebels who surrendered after years of armed conflict and terrorism in the region.
The President made these remarks after witnessing the destruction of 400 surrendered firearms and distribution of assistance to former members of terrorist groups, where he underscored that Basilan can now be hailed as an epicenter of peace after being considered ground zero of war due to the presence of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces - Moro Islamic Liberation Front (BIAF-MILF) and the Abu Sayyaf Group in the Island.
“This is the kind of peace that we are witnessing in Basilan, of various faiths working together, because the people chose not to let diversity be a cause of division, but used it as a source of strength and solidarity,” he conveyed.
“Peace is totally achieved not when the sound of gunfire has ended. It is when the clamor for better lives has been met,” he added.
President Marcos Jr. reaffirmed his strong commitment to extend support to the Province as it continues with its efforts in achieving progress and prosperity to all Filipinos residing in Basilan and across the region. He also assured the local government unit (LGU) of Basilan of the Administration’s support in harnessing the Province’s potentials in the sector of food security and agri-fisheries.
“This makes Basilan no longer an island far south, but a very strategic island in the front and center of our national goals… May the hope we feel today sustain what we have already achieved in Basilan, and power us towards a Bagong Pilipinas,” the Commander-in-Chief concluded in his message.
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