Vice President Sara Duterte’s campaign against the communist New People’s Army (NPA) continues without let up.
In her message during the recent 57th Founding anniversary of Eastern Samar, Duterte called on parents to never let terrorist groups take their children’s future.
“May I call on everyone to protect the security and peace of your province against local terrorist groups. Ayaw ninyo tugti ang inyong mga anak nga musampa sa NPA. Ayaw ninyo tugti nga madaot ang ilang kaugmaon,” she said.
In September this year, Duterte delivered the same statement in her message during the Kalivungan Festival in Kidapawan City and urged Cotabateños not to support and fall prey to the lies of the NPA.
Her campaign against the NPA started when she was still mayor of Davao City. She accused the communist rebels as terrorists who do not deserve protection of their human rights.
As Education Secretary, Duterte said she intends to produce peace-loving and patriotic graduates who can contribute to their communities.
Meanwhile, Duterte has called on residents of the province to build disaster-resilient communities and unite against local terrorism.
“Owing to its geographical location, Eastern Samar faces two challenges. It is vulnerable to natural calamities and a breeding ground for insurgency,” she said in a statement.
Duterte described the province’s founding celebration as having a “profound meaning for most people of Eastern Samar — a province that continues to stand strong over the years despite its constant affair with deadly storms and its problem with insurgency.”
Easter Samar was among the badly-hit provinces of Super Typhoon Yolanda in 2013. It is also a stronghold of a local rebel-armed group.
She said the success in building resilient communities lies in the cooperation of stakeholders, the government, and its people.
“I come from Mindanao and marami ding mga problema doon. I was born and grew up in Davao City but I think the secret to success in making a strong city, a strong province, is the unity and cooperation of the government and the citizenry,” she said.
She said that community awareness, disaster risk reduction education in schools, disaster preparedness, and efficient local warning systems will help the people of Eastern Samar become resilient to natural disasters.
