Vice President Leni Robredo. INQUIRER.net file photo / Noy Morcoso
MANILA, Philippines – Vice President Leni Robredo is urging the administration to include the private sector in securing people in Mindanao and in working for a lasting peace in the war-torn region.
Robredo, who was in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur on Thursday and in Lamitan, Basilan on Wednesday for a series of talks and anti-poverty programs, said that crafting policies on security should not only rest upon the government and the military.
“Ako, sa akin kasi, iyong security is not just the function of the military and the government alone. Kailangan talaga iyong strong participation of the private sector,” she told reporters in Marawi after being asked to react on the possible lifting of martial law rule in Mindanao.
(For me, security is not just the function of the military and the government alone. The strong participation of the private sector is really needed.)
“Kasi iyong tingin natin, iyong relationship ng private sector with the military and the government, iyon iyong makakasiguro na ma-secure iyong ating lugar. Kasi halimbawa, iyong information kadalasan nakukuha iyong ng militar sa private sector,” she added.
(Because for us, the relationship of the private sector with the military and the government, that is what would assure safety in our area. For example, the military’s information are sometimes obtained from the private sector.)
The whole of Mindanao was placed under martial law after Marawi was taken over by members of the Maute group last May 2017. Maute group was reported of having an allegiance with the Islamic State.
But even after the fighting between the terrorists and state forces ended, the martial law status stayed, drawing criticisms from opposition groups.
On Tuesday, President Rodrigo Duterte said that he is not keen on extending martial law in Mindanao as the terrorists and extremists forces have been significantly weakened.
The Office of the Vice President (OVP) has had several projects geared toward helping the poor sectors in Mindanao, implemented through their Angat Buhay and Ahon Laylayan programs. Under these initiatives, OVP partners with private sectors to provide funds and items needed by the communities.
Robredo said that the private sector should help in mitigating the effects of the war, and is responsible for providing authorities the information which may help them in combatting terrorism.
“Iyong sa akin, naramdaman na natin iyong effects noong giyera, at responsibility ng bawat isa na kung mayroon siyang nalalaman, sisiguraduhin na nakakaabot siya sa mga awtoridad, para nagagawan ng masusing preparation,” Robredo noted.
(For me, we feel the effects of the war, and the responsibility of each is that if they have vital information, they should pass it on to authorities for them to prepare for that.)
“Security is as much the responsibility of everyone as it is the responsibility of government and the military,” she added.