Pacquiao warns fellow lawmakers who ‘foment war’ in Mindanao

GENERAL SANTOS CITY – World eight-division boxing champion and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao cautioned some lawmakers against fomenting war in the light of the Mamasapano encounter where 44 operatives of the PNP-Special Action Force died.

Manny Pacquiao  AFP FILE PHOTO

Manny Pacquiao AFP FILE PHOTO

“I understand the pain and agony of the families of all the victims. I am extending my heartfelt sympathy to all of them. But let’s not be judgmental or jump immediately to a conclusion. Let’s wait for the final outcome of the investigation before making any judgment or conclusion,” Pacquiao said when asked about his stand on the issue.

“I am for peace,” he added.

“When I was young, I experienced the horrors of war between the communist insurgents and government forces. It’s hard to wake up in the middle of the night and run away from the house just to avoid being caught in a crossfire,” Pacquiao said.

Pacquiao claimed that he was still a young boy and his family was still living in the hinterland of Tango village in Glan town, Sarangani, when he went through such a traumatic experience.

“I don’t know if those lawmakers and politicians who are fomenting war as a solution to Mindanao problem have ever experienced living in a conflict zone. They should try, and, let’s see how they would feel,” Pacquiao said.

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