Election is key to peace in Muslim Mindanao–Aquino

President Aquino. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Peace and development in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) would continue depending on the kind of leaders emerging after the elections on May 13, President Benigno Aquino III said Friday.

After getting an update on the status of infrastructure projects in the region from ARMM Gov. Mujiv Hataman in Cotabato City, the President proceeded to Buluan town in Maguindanao to make a pitch for the administration’s senatorial candidates.

At the Buluan municipal gym, the President told town people that their cooperation was crucial to the unbroken implementation of his administration’s reforms in the autonomous region.

“I won’t beat around the bush. We’re here to throw our support behind the pillars of ARMM’s rebuilding, and ask you, our Boss, to side with the Team PNoy, and our allies pushing for a peaceful and progressive Bangsamoro,” he said in his speech, excerpts of which were furnished the press. Team PNoy consists of the administration’s Senate ticket.

After all, the future of ARMM was in the hands of the electorate in the region, Mr. Aquino said.

“Whether peace and development will continue, or whether we’ll go back to the system of deception and violence, all depends on the kind of leaders you’ll elect this coming May,” he said.

Mr. Aquino credited Hataman for sowing the seeds of reform in the ARMM that had been wracked by conflict and corruption for the past several years.

“For exposing the ghost projects of the administration, the moniker ‘ghostbuster’ fits him,” he said.

Earlier in the day, Hataman briefed the President on ongoing ARMM projects worth P9.4 billion in a PowerPoint presentation at the Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Center in Cotabato City.

These included the P280.3-million Agri-Pinoy project; P129.9-million Fish for Peace; P852-million Agrarian Reform Communities Project; P1.546-billion Peaceful and Resilient Communities program; P3.9-billion Basic Education Assistance for Muslim Mindanao and the P182.7-million health facility enhancement.