Marcos to Army troops in Maguindanao: Work with communities

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. graces the graduation of Bangsamoro Police Basic Course Batch 2023-01 class of Alpha Bravo “Baklas-Lipi” in Parang, Maguindanao del Norte on Monday, April 29, 2024. (PPA POOL)

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. on Monday instructed Philippine Army (PA) troops stationed in Maguindanao Del Norte to maintain peace in the region by working with Moro troops.

Marcos met with the WestMin Command, the Joint Task Force Central, and the PA 6th Infantry Division during a series of activities in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

“In our role as peacekeepers now, we must always embrace the role of community and of nation-building. By engaging dialogue with key stakeholders, we build resilient communities that are capable of withstanding the challenges that may come our way,” said Marcos in his speech.

“I, thus, urge you to continue working hand-in-hand with the communities, including MI (Moro Islamic) and the MN (Moro National)-affiliated groups, through their leaders and through our local chief executives,” added the President.

Marcos said that the troops must build partnerships based on respect and understanding.

With the BARMM elections coming in 2025, Marcos told the troops that he is confident that they could maintain the peace.

“The upcoming first BARMM parliamentary elections in May 2025 will represent a big milestone in our journey towards a meaningful autonomy and a peaceful Bangsamoro.  I am sure that you have the ability, I know, you have the ability to secure a safe and honest conduct of these elections as this will lay the groundwork for a Bagong Pilipinas,” said Marcos.