BAGUIO CITY—President Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday exhorted security forces to continue securing the nation from the threats of corruption, terrorism and criminality, particularly illegal drugs.
“The nation is threatened by the widening gap between the rich and the poor, crime, corruption, criminality, and illegal drugs,” Duterte told alumni of the Philippine Military Academy during its annual homecoming at Fort del Pilar here.
“Government must now deliver goods and services to really serve the people, not just the interest of the few. In the past, our government was on the verge of failure because those who were in the position to help deliberately made wrong decisions, which favored only themselves,” he said.
Duterte vowed to always uphold the sanctity of the common good as the highest goal that always benefits the next generation of Filipinos.
Attaining peace and order is paramount, he said, noting if there is peace and order, businesses and everything else will follow, as in the case of Davao City where he was mayor for more than 20 years.
He said righteousness and discipline are the foundation of a nation, adding he desires a Philippines that is prosperous and inhabited by peaceful, law-abiding citizens.
“That is why I appreciate the PMA. You have the template of discipline and civility. I ask that you continue this tradition and thank you for inviting me to be part of you,” he said.
“Let us together build a nation worthy of the Filipinos; Filipinos worthy of their nation. Pilipinong nararapat sa Pilipinas; Pilipinas na nararapat sa Pilipino; nasud nga angay sa Pilipino, Pilipinong angay sa Pilipinas,” he added.
In response, the Philippine Military Academy Alumni Association Inc. presented a manifesto of support to Duterte.
“We affirm our unwavering support for President Rodrigo Duterte, our commander-in-chief, for his initiatives to wage war against corruption and criminalization in general, most particularly against illegal drugs, heinous crimes, terrorism, and his pursuit of lasting peace,” Anselmo Avenido said in a statement.
“We call on Filipino citizens to support the President and other leaders in the government in the attainment of lasting peace and economic prosperity,” Avenido added.
Duterte said that both the Armed Forces and the Philippine National Police have been directed to continuously contain the ASG threat “through intensified operations using all available assets and resources.”
“The Sulu-based ASG is focused on kidnap-for-ransom. The Basilan-based ASG under (Isnilon) Hapilon remains focused on assimilating the IS violence today,” Duterte said.
Duterte said that recent reports suggesting that Abu Sayyaf’s top leader, Isnilon Hapilon leading the Southeast Asian caliphate of the jihadist group Islamic State would wreck his efforts for a peaceful country.
“Intensified military efforts, is the only way to secure Mindanao,” the president said.
Only recently, security officials said the homegrown terrorist groups had been uniting and evolving into just one group called Dawlatul Islamiyah Waliyatul Masrik or DIWM, and had chosen Isnilon Hapilon of the Abu Sayyaf as their sole leader in their aggressive efforts to be recognized by the ISIS.
