“To the rebels, we’ll response in kind,” she said, as she congratulated Cachuela and his men for reducing NPA strength in their jurisdiction to only 500 armed fighters.
Ms Arroyo also asked the ordinary folk, especially farmers and small-time merchants, to stop giving support to the rebels in terms of “revolutionary taxes.”
“Peace and security will only come when the rebels are totally wiped out,” she said.
“Put away quarrels since the elections are still too far away,” she said. “In the meantime, let us focus on wiping out the armed rebels so we can bring our country to the first world.”
The President spoke before 400 participants in the two-day Peace and Security Assembly held by the National Security Council at the Hotel Roma here.
The participants represented various sectors in Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya and Quirino.
The participants, in a resolution presented to the President, vowed to work closely with the national government to address the need for infrastructure and transportation facilities that will connect the region’s provinces to provide access and further boost economic development.
They also pledged to contribute to the government’s thrust on food security and be partners in delivering social services. In her speech, Ms Arroyo also called on Cagayan Valley’s political leaders to set aside their differences and work instead for the further development of what she described as the country’s fastest rising super-region.
“I call on our political leaders to set aside their differences and work for the common good, especially since election time is still far off,” the President said in the vernacular.
The President’s appeal came in the wake of reports by the police on the lower crime rate in the region, and that many of the crimes were allegedly politically motivated.
“I therefore congratulate the PNP (Philippine National Police) in the region led by (Cagayan Valley police director Chief Superintendent) General (Roberto) Damian for the improving crime rate in Cagayan Valley,” she said.
The President was in this region’s government center to address members of the local peace and security assembly. Local officials led by Cagayan Gov. Alvaro Antonio welcomed her. In her speech, the President cited the gains of the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA), especially in job generation.
Ms Arroyo disclosed that numerous foreign investors have signified their intention to do business in the eco-zone.
She also pushed for the establishment of an international airport here to cater to the growing business opportunities.
The President stressed the role of the region as the nation’s food basket, as it leads in corn production and is second in terms of rice production. Cagayan Valley farmers, she said, saved the day for the country during the height of the rice crisis. In turn, she vowed that her administration would concentrate most of its financial resources in the region, especially in Isabela, but made sure that other regions will not be neglected.
Mrs. Arroyo also cited the importance of peace and security in the region. Earlier in the day, the President and her entourage went to Flora, Apayao for the launching of feeding and seed production programs of the departments of education and agriculture. – With a report from CL
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