Duterte Launches Anti-Poverty Projects in Muslim South

Cotabato, 29 Muharram 1438/30 October 2016 (MINA) – President Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday vowed to give equal share of the national wealth to the  Autonomous Region in Muslim Minadanao (ARMM) as he promised equal treatment for all Filipinos.

“We will treat you equally. I will see to it that the Moros, Christians or the Igorots will be treated alike,” inquirer.net quoted Duterte as saying in a speech at the launching of the Comprehensive Reform and Development Agenda in Cotabato.

“You will have your equal share of the national wealth,” he added.

Duterte said Mindanao was rich in natural resources and could “develop to its fullest extent.”

“Mindanao holds a promise in agriculture. You will be the richest,” he said.

The President said he would provide agricultural equipment to the farmers in Mindanao to help them in their livelihood.

“Bigyan ninyo ako ng konting panahon. I will improve the Moro land Mindanao,” he said.

Duterte is the country’s first president hailing from Mindanao.

The Chief Executive also mentioned that a businessman had pledged to donate P1 billion, which would be used to construct a hospital in Basilan. Duterte said the hospital would be completed in 2017.

But despite his dreams for the region, the President noted that insurgency had hindered its development.

He reiterated his appeal to the Moros and the communist rebels to stop waging war against fellow Filipinos.

He also made the same call to the bandit group Abu Sayyaf.

“Hintuan niyo na yan. So much hatred. Stop it,” he said.

During his speech, Duterte pushed anew his plan for federalism, which he believed would be the best form of government for the country (T/R07/R01)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)