THE explosions that rocked at least three towns in Lanao del Norte would not stop the Duterte government from conducting the second plebiscite on the ratification of Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL), MalacaƱang said on Wednesday, February 6.
In a statement, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the current administration would not be cowed by any "terroristic act."
Panelo assured people participating in the February 6 plebiscite that the military have been ordered to tighten security in their areas.
"No amount of bombing or terroristic act will scare, intimidate nor threaten the voters from participating in today's plebiscite," the Palace official said.
"We assure the electorate in that part of Mindanao that the Armed Forces of the Philippines have provided safeguards for their safety and will be in full alert to thwart any attempt from any armed group or terrorists to derail the present democratic process," he added.
His statement came after at least three explosions have been reported in Lanao del Norte on the eve of the second BOL plebiscite.
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On February 6, residents of Lanao del Norte, except Iligan City, will have to vote on the inclusion of Tagoloan, Balo-i, Pantar, Munai, Tangcal, and Nunungan towns in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim MIndanao (Barmm), a new Bangsamoro region replacing the existing Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
Residents from towns of Aleosan, Carmen, Kabacan, Midsayap, Pigkawayan, Pikit, and Tulunan in North Cotabato will also have to decide on the inclusion of 67 villages in the Barmm.
A day before the plebiscite on the BOL ratification, explosions reportedly occurred in Sultan Naga Dimaporo, Lala, and Kauswagan in Lanao del Norte province.
Sultan Naga Dimaporo, Lala, and Kauwagan are not part of the six municipalities participating in the plebiscite.
Panelo said while the latest bombings were "deplorable," these were clearly an act of "cowardice" on the part of individuals who "resist change and want to perpetuate the climate of fear, hopelessness, and poverty among the Bangsamoro people and the Christian inhabitants in Mindanao."
"The road to lasting peace in that region is not without obstacles strewn by those who foment disunity and who purvey the status quo. We shall not be waylaid by the twin forces of obstruction and destruction," he said.
"We continue to have faith in our vibrant democracy and that the peace-loving residents of Lanao del Norte (except Iligan City) and the municipalities of Aleosan, Carmen, Kabacan, Midsayap, Pikit, Pigkawayan and Tulunan, all in the province of North Cotabato, will courageously exercise their right of suffrage in favor of the ratification of [BOL]," he added. (SunStar Philippines)