Mindanao situation not a movie--Arroyo son
By Maila Ager
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 16:28:00 08/20/2008
Filed Under: The Southern Campaign, Mindanao peace process, Politics, Armed conflict
MANILA, Philippines -- The situation in Mindanao is not like a movie, said President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s eldest son.
Although Pampanga Representative Juan Miguel Arroyo said he was not referring to anybody when asked about his statement, the congressman’s reaction came a day after former president Joseph Estrada called on the government to wipe out the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.
“My two cents worth on the Mindanao situation is that no matter what happens, the government must always pursue a policy of a peace process,” Arroyo said Wednesday.
“An all-out war can be very hurtful. It’s easy to say all-out war kasi hindi naman tayo masasaktan [we won’t be hurt]. We are in Manila. Hindi naman ito pelikula e [This isn’t a movie],” he said.
The ousted leader, a former movie actor, declared an all-out war against the MILF in 2000.
“Dapat [Actually] a good government must always promote peace. A good head of the government or head of the family must promote peace within his family or within his or her jurisdiction,” the President’s son said.
“Of course, when you promote peace that doesn’t mean that you are not protecting your people anymore. Siyempre [Of course] you promote peace but at the same time, you have the same level or even a greater level of protecting your people,” he further said.
Noting the escalating hostilities in Mindanao, the young Arroyo also supported a review of the government’s peace efforts with the Moro rebels.
“In the light of what’s been happening the past few days, which is just unfortunate, then I think yes details must be reviewed,” he said.
“But for me, they should not abandon the policy of wanting to have peace,” he stressed.
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