Mamasapano high school graduates get P5,000 bonus from ARMM
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By:
Ferdinandh Cabrera
ARMM Gov. Mujib Hataman, 3rd from right) with wife Rep. Djalia Hataman and Robin Padilla during one of the ARMM officials visit to the historic Tukanalipao bridge where 44 police commandos perished in clash with MILF, BIFF on Jan. 25, 2015. (courte
MAMASAPANO, Maguindanao (March 31) – In a rare turn of
events, Moro high school graduates of a public school here received an
unexpected cash bonus of P5,000 each from the Autonomous Region in Muslim
Mindanao (ARMM) as they march to culminate four years secondary schools Monday.
Each of the 49 graduates of Hadhi Salik Kalaing National
High School in Barangay Tukanalipao, site of bloody encounter on January 25
between government forces and Moro armed men, went home with the cash bonus
from ARMM Gov. Mujiv Hataman who was the guest speaker of the school’s
commencement exercises.
This amount is for your enrolment in college because I
believe your education must continue through college,” he said in his speech.
All the graduates and their parents were among the more
than 120,000 internally displaced persons forced out of their communities when
the government forces launched law enforcement operations against the
Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF).
The major military operations were terminated Monday as announced by AFP
chief Gregorio Pio Catapang.
Aside from P5,000 cash, the top 10 honor students became
scholars of the ARMM regional government.
Do not lose hope. Peace will finally prevail in your
communities. Help, in your own little
way, so peace will reign in our land,” he added in Filipino.
In her valedictory address, Norambai Utto became emotional
and cried for peace.
We want peace, give us peace, we want peace in our land
not only for us but the generations to come,” she said in between sobs.
We ought to thank the Philippine military for taking care
of the civilians, ensuring they are safe before offensives were launched against
lawless elements,” Hataman said.
Hataman also said the people of Maguindanaoshould be happy they
have an Army division commander, in the person of Maj. Gen. Edmundo Pangilinan,
who did not order indiscriminate offensive that could have killed innocent
civilians.
We should thank him because he is for peace, the military supports
the Mindanao peace process, thus the recent operations against lawless
elements, no civilians were hurt or killed as a result of Army offensives,” Hataman
said.
The ARMM governor also urged the parents and the graduates as well as
the people of Mamasapano not to be carried by their emotions but consider the
recent events as a challenge for the future of Maguindanao. (Ferdinandh Cabrera)