Former Special Assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence “Bong Go” has welcomed the decision of Congress extending by another year the implementation of martial law in Mindanao, saying it would help preserve peace and order in the region.
Voting jointly, the two chambers of Congress overwhelmingly approved on Dec. 12, 2018, President Duterte’s request for the extension of martial law in Mindanao by another year, up to the end of 2019.
Go said the people of Mindanao prefer the continued implementation of martial law because the presence of soldiers in the streets further helped improved the peace and order situation.
A candidate for a Senate seat in the 2019 elections, Go’s legislative agenda also include the promotion of peace and order through localized peace talks in a bid to end armed conflict in the countryside that continue to hamper development efforts.
This approach includes enactment of measures that will strengthen all assistance given by the government for rebel returnees, such as livelihood cash assistance with the necessary training, housing, farming lots, easier livelihood credit access, medical care and education support for their children, among others.
Other areas of concern in his priority measures include agriculture and food security, anti-illegal drugs and criminality, housing, education, long-term youth, and sports development, anti-corruption drive, fire protection, the creation of a Department of OFWs, and enactment of a Magna Carta for barangay officials.
Go also clarified the talks that he had developed a vice. He noted that while some people developed a fondness for smoking or drinking, some people have developed positive habits, including the drive to serve others.
“Alam mo almusal, pananghalian at pahapunan na namin ni Pangulong Duterte ay magserbisyo, yun na ang nakagawian po namin. Kaya siguro natawag tayong ang bisyo ay magserbisyo. Tuloy-tuloy po ito,” said Go.