President Rodrigo Duterte has pledged that his administration will continue to protect the peace in his home, Mindanao, GMA News reported.
“Allow me to take this moment to assure you that this administration will endeavor to preserve the fragile peace that we have built in this region that I call home,” he said at the Eid al-Fitr celebration in Davao City on Thursday.
“Any form of violence against the Muslim community or any other tribe especially those arising from religious extremism, hatred, discrimination and misguided beliefs will never be tolerated and will be dealt with by the full force of the law.”
Duterte has supported several peace initiatives, including the creation of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) with the passage of the Bangsamoro Organic Law in July 2018.
The new Bangsamoro region, which replaced the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), enjoys expanded land and water jurisdiction, fiscal autonomy and increased share in national government resources, among others.
“With the creation of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao—a campaign promise that we delivered—we can work more closely and efficiently with our Bangsamoro brothers and sisters in our pursuit to foster a more harmonious and meaningful relationship among all ethnic groups in the region,” Duterte said.
“I hope that despite our differences, each of us will realize that we share the same desire to lead brighter and better lives filled with optimism and acceptance.”
