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Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Gov’t to use hard, soft stance on NPA, bandits
By Lino Dela Cruz
Iligan Correspondent
ILIGAN CITY -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said the National Government will use "soft and hard power" to crush the Abu Sayyaf Group and the communist New People's Army (NPA), as she called on every sector that it is also their responsibility to maintain peace and development.
During the President's meeting with the business groups here, she said the government is very close to attaining peace with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) even as the issue of ancestral domain remains to be resolved.
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Arroyo said the government is continuing its efforts to establish confidence measures, initiate inter-faith dialogues, and implement basic infrastructure projects to contribute to the peace process with the MILF.
However, she said government will use soft and hard power in dealing with the threats of the Abu Sayyaf and NPA.
"The government will crush the Abu Sayyaf once and for all and even if the NPA is considered as low-level threat, it has to be put to rest so that the nation can move ahead," the President said.
Arroyo said: “We have to put a stop to the human rights abuses and ideological nonsense" of the communist rebels as she offered amnesty to them, but added that military action is still an option.
She said the country had posted significant economic growth, improved social services, implemented the "food for school" program, constructed better school buildings, provided text books for students and trainings for teachers as part of the government’s program to reduce poverty.
Other projects
The President said after three years, the country is now getting positive results on the government's human investment program.
Arroyo then announced that she will increase the micro entrepreneurial activities here and asked Trade Secretary Peter Favila to set aside at least 30 percent of the Barangay Micro Business Enterprises (Bambe) funds for this city.
She also said government projects like the Laguindingan airport has started its civil works with the release of an additional P50 million allotted for ongoing construction of the Iligan-Bukidnon road.
Another P50 million was released for the feasibility studies of the proposed Circumferential Road here, as well as the ongoing feasibility studies of the proposed Panguil Bay bridge that will connect Lanao del Norte and Misamis Occidental, and elsewhere in Mindanao.
The President said these areas will soon form part of the country's "super regions."
"These are what you are getting now, we have a stable government and it is in our hands to maintain peace and development," Arroyo told the business groups.
President Arroyo had a meeting with the business groups here last Monday. They (business groups) expressed all out support for the President's programs and projects.
The President's visit here also coincides with the city's ongoing tourism and fiesta celebration, which will culminate on September 29 -- the Feast of St. Michael the Archangel, the city's patron saint.
Arroyo was accompanied by Favila and Public Works Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane. They were welcomed by City Mayor Lawrence Lluch Cruz and the city councilors who assisted the President in the switching ceremony of the new security cameras installed at strategic places around the city. (Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro/Sunnex)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Pangasinan. (September 26, 2007 issue)
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