Marcos tells Army: Instead of fighting, urge insurgents to lay down arms

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday urged military troops to encourage insurgents to lay down their arms instead of fighting them as they are also fellow Filipinos.

During a visit to the Philippine Army’s 401st Infantry Division in Agusan del Sur, Marcos told the troops to be peacemakers, not just war fighters.

READ: PH closer to unity with new step to peace – Marcos

“We must remember kahit papaano, ang kaharap natin, Pilipino din ‘yan. Kaya’t mas maganda sana, imbes na maglaban tayo ay pababain na natin sila at tulungan natin sila na magkaroon ng maganda namang buhay upang hindi na sila lumaban sa gobyerno, hindi na sila lumaban sa Pilipinas,” said Marcos in his speech.

(We must remember that the ones we are facing are still Filipinos. So it is better that instead of fighting, we make them go down and help them have better lives so they do not fight the government and the Philippines.)

“Not only do we need war fighters, we need also peacemakers. And this is the new development, the new aspect, the new dimension to the job that we are facing,” said Marcos.

Marcos said that this was the message he shared with other divisions as well, whenever he visited other military camps.

READ: Gov’t, NDFP get back to peace talks again – Galvez