Bong Go joins Duterte in awarding 685 land titles to BARMM farmers, former rebels

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go accompanied President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Monday, December 23, in Cotabato City at the ceremonial turnover and distribution of 685 Certificates of Land Ownership Award (CLOA) to farmers and former rebels in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

The CLOAs, awarded to 793 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs), cover 1,742.63 hectares in the provinces of Basilan, Maguindanao, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.

Assisted by BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim and Agrarian Reform Secretary John Castriciones, the President led the ceremonial distribution to five ARB representatives at the Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Complex inside the Bangsamoro Government Center.

Three former combatants of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) represented ARBs from Maguindanao, and two farmers represented ARBs from Basilan and Tawi-Tawi.

In his speech, the President introduced Go as someone who truly represents the people. As Go’s mentor for more than twenty years, the President vouched for Go’s dedication to his duties.

“Senator Bong Go, ang tinulungan ninyo,” the President said. He added, “Tao ninyo ito. Ako na ang nagsasabi. He is serving the interest of the Moro people,” the President said.

The President and Go pushed through with the distribution despite security concerns, after several explosions occurred in Cotabato City and nearby areas the night before.

In an interview earlier, Go said threats will not stop them from fulfilling their mandate. “Hindi po kami takot mamatay. Mas gusto namin mamatay na nagseserbisyo sa bayan,” he told reporters when he distributed cash and relief assistance to earthquake victims in Matanao, Davao del Sur earlier in the day.

After the distribution of CLOAs, Go accompanied the President again to Camp Siongco Station Hospital in Barangay Awang, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao to visit and give assistance to soldiers and civilians who were injured in the explosions and to two soldiers who were wounded in action in other incidents.

For their love of country by defending the nation from threats of terrorism, President Duterte and Senator Go visited the wounded-in-action (WIA) soldiers in the Cotabato City bombing that happened on Sunday, December 22.

The President and senator went to the Battle Casualty Ward of Camp Siongco Station Hospital to visit the four WIA soldiers affected in the explosion. These are Sgt. Ariel F. Joaquin, Cpl. Genesis R. Mansalon, PFC Cris John F. Figueroa and Pvt. Ian C. Villaruel. They were all given Order of Lapu-Lapu – Rank of Kampilan, and other forms of assistance from the Office of the President.

They also visited other WIA soldiers admitted in the hospital. Cpl. Alvin V. Samama of 61DRC, 6ID, PA, who sustained blast injuries due to an encounter last November 28 in Brgy. Pikeg of Shariff Saydona Mustapha in Maguindanao also received the Order of Lapu-Lapu – Rank of Kampilan and other forms of assistance. Also in the ward was Cpl. Alexander D. Flauta, who was already awarded with Order of Lapu-Lapu in a previous visit by the President.

The two officials also met with representatives of wounded soldiers who are confined in Cotabato Regional and Medical Center (CRMC). The families of soldiers, namely SSgt. Ariel M. Lumagod, PFC Aljon B. Jimenez, PFC Jaymark A. Bron and Pvt. Raymond F. Oyan were given cash and other forms of assistance.

In addition, the President also met with the wounded civilians and/or their representatives. They were given cash assistance from the Office of the President.

Senator Go also gave additional cash and other forms of assistance to the wounded soldiers and civilians.