Suenoand Duterte supports BUC role in Mindanao peace

DAVAO CITY -Interior and Local Government Secretary Mike Sueno expressed the readiness of President Rodrigo Duterte to revive the role of the Bishops-Ulama Conference in realizing peace in Mindanao.Speaking before the more than a hundred bishops and ulama from various places in Mindanao, he said that it is easier to promote understanding and peace if negotiations are done primarily by people from Mindanao.Sueno recalled that the previous peace process failed because people representing the government were not all coming from Mindanao but led by Luzon people. Now that all representatives come from Mindanao, we understand each other since the other side of the negotiating table is also from Mindanao,” he said.Sueno said the president supports all efforts to bring peace in Mindanao.He said the president is in full agreement to continue the rule of the BUC in peace making.Sueno also said that the DILG supports the president’s campaign to eradicate the drug menace and all forms of criminalities in the country beyond the six month deadline.He mulled of getting the support of ordinary people through the masa-masid program, where the people can participate in crime watch. This concept was developed not only by us in government but also from the people in the church, both Catholic and Protestants and also from the Ulama,” he said.Sueno explained that the masa-masid is an umbrella organization to be organized in all barangays nationwide to initially eradicating illegal drugs, criminality and corruption.He said ordinary citizens can report to the authorities about the illegal activities in their neighbourhood. The masa-masid people will talk to the target individuals and convince them to do away with their nefarious activities,” Sueno said.He said through the masa-masid, children in the barangays will be taught basic values like proper disposal of garbage.Sueno said children will be taught to volunteer to plant trees and to be clean in their surroundings. (PIA 11-Joey Sem G. Dalumpines)