MARAWI CITY – Interior Secretary Eduardo Año called on Marawi residents to help in the pursuit of a more peaceful and secure nation by safeguarding their communities.
Año said it is the collective duty of the citizens to drive out anyone who puts the nation's peace, security, and sovereignty to the test. He stressed that though the government has won the battle in Marawi four years ago, spoilers of peace are still lurking in the communities waiting for the opportunity to instigate chaos once again.
He was referring to pro-ISIS militants and foreign terrorists who are waging a violent campaign in the South for the establishment of a caliphate.
Año paid tribute to the 168 “fallen heroes” who made the ultimate sacrifice to free Marawi City from the clutches of terrorists and to remember the innocents who lost their lives during the battle that lasted for five months.
He also urged residents to take inspiration from the victory in Marawi which is a testament of Filipino patriotism and defiance against terrorism. “Hindi man tayo isang malaki o makapangyarihang bansa ngunit handa tayong ipaglaban ang ating kasarinlan at kapayapaan hanggang sa huli dahil tayo ay naninindigan na walang puwang sa Pilipinas ang terorismo at karahasan,” Año said.
Año emphasized that the liberation of Marawi will go down in the annals
of history as one the country’s proudest moments and biggest victory against
terrorism. “Even as we uphold and respect the primacy of peace, make no mistake
about it, we shall remain to be a lethal force capable of destroying any threat
to our nation for we will not cower in the face of lawlessness and terrorism,”
he said. (Apipa Bagumbaran and Mindanao Examiner)
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