SULTAN NAGA DIMAPORO, Lanao del Norte (PIA)--The government continues to ramp up its campaign to finally put an end to the insurgency problem.

Local officials here carry on the promotion of the whole-of-nation approach to successfully convince active communist-terrorist group members to yield and return to the fold of the law. 

“Kamo nga nasalaag, kalimtan na nato ang inyong gibuhat sa pograma sa gobyerno kay kamo danihon nga mubalik gyud sa sistema sa maayo nga gobyerno. Bisan unsa pa ang inyong nabuhat gahapon, sa pila katuig niagi, ang mga tao diri nga nagrepresentar sa lain-laing ahensya sa gobyerno, mutabang kaninyo sa programa nga para kamo mahinay-hinay nga mabalik sa normal nga kinabuhi,” said Col. Rey Alemania, commander of the 2nd Mechanized Infantry “Magbalantay” Brigade.

[You who are lost, let us forget what you have done here in the program because you will really be pulled to return to the system of good governance. Whatever you have done yesterday, for the past years, the people here representing the different agencies of the government will help you through the program so that you will slowly return to a normal life.]

The commander highlighted that the program is open to those who are still actively operating in uplands, thus, if there are chances of connecting with them, this should be relayed so that they will be aware that the program is specially prepared for them to be welcomed back.  

“Kung asa mo musalig nga munisipyo, police station ug army unit, pare-pareho na sila nga muwelcome sa inyo. Pare-pareho nga assistance ihatag sa inyo. Kana naay assurance nga itreat mo nga murag istorya sa bibliya nga prodigal son nga nibalik sa gobyerno,” said Alemania.

[Wherever municipality, police station, and army unit you trust, they will all welcome you. The same assistance will be given to you. That is the assurance that you will be treated like the story in the bible about the prodigal son who has returned to the government.]

Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) - Lanao del Norte Provincial Director Bruce Colao also stressed that this is a campaign of the whole government with a major goal of ending armed conflict which only brings sufferings and struggles to families of involved individuals. 

He hoped that with the government’s campaign, returnees will be able to show to their former companions how sincere the government is in serving the Filipino citizens. 

“Hinaot nakita usab ninyo karon ang dakong kausaban sa atong katilingban, nga wala nagpasagad ang atong gobyerno nga naghatag sa serbisyo ngadto sa mga tao,” said Colao.

[I hope you also see now the big change in our society that the government that gives service to citizens is not neglecting us.] (CRG/PIA-ICIC)