Aquino, Roxas campaign in Mindanao

DAVAO CITY – President Benigno Aquino flew to Davao City from his sortie in Mindanao where he endorsed Interior Secretary Mar Roxas, who is the Liberal Party’s presidential candidate in next year’s polls.

Aquino’s brief visit last week was interrupted by street protests from various ethnic and human rights groups demanding justice for the killings of civilians allegedly perpetrated by government troops hunting down communist rebels.

Jong Monson, Secretary General of the Pasaka Lumad Confederation of Southern Mindanao, said Aquino continues to ignore the human rights violations and summary executions of innocent civilians, mostly indigenous people, accused as rebels by the military.

“Aquino is ignoring the killings of lumads in Mindanao which already accumulated to 13 deaths since September 1. We call for the pullout of the military in our communities and the disarming of paramilitary groups which brought impunity to our communities,” Monson said.

Aquino arrived with Roxas in Davao and they spoke to about 2,000 mostly political allies and supporters in “a gathering of friends” at the SMX Convention Center.

Four people – an imam, a farmer, a government scholar and a tribeswoman – also spoke about how government-funded projects and livelihood programs brought changes to their life, and in the end they praised and thanked Aquino for his reforms and advocacy of so-called “tuwid na daan” or straight path in governance.

Many of those who were invited to the event were provincial governors, mayors and vice mayors and other politicians, who came from all over the region. Local mayor Rodrigo Duterte, who backed out from the presidential elections just recently, was absent from the gathering – it was unknown whether he was invited or not. But Aquino and Roxas were both received by the elderly Davao del Norte Governor Rodolfo del Rosario.

Governor Mujiv Hataman, of the Muslim autonomous region who is also a strong political ally of Aquino, led his governors – Nurbert Sahali of Tawi-Tawi; Esmael Mangudadatu, of Maguindanao; Mamintal Adiong, of Lanao del Sur – to the gathering.

Governors Totoh Tan, of Sulu; and Jum Akbar, of Basilan province, were not able to attend due to a tight schedule, but both politicians have repeatedly and publicly announced their solid support to Roxas. All of the Muslim governors are members of the ruling Liberal Party.

“This is a gathering of unity and we are all behind President Aquino and Interior Secretary Mar Roxas for the continuation of the Tuwid na Daan and good governance,” Hataman said.

Other members of the Aquino’s Cabinet were also present during the gathering, but Teresita Deles, the presidential peace adviser, stood out among the rest – she was spotted waving pro-Roxas slogans “Oras na, Roxas na” mostly throughout the program. While former lawmaker Riza Hontiveros, who is aspiring to be a senator, virtually campaigned for herself – enumerating the accomplishments of Philippine Health Insurance Corporation where she sits as one of its board of directors.

Roxas, spoke from a prepared speech, elaborating his past programs and accomplishments and how he would continue Aquino’s reform if elected president.

Aquino, on the other hand, spoke little about his own achievements and more on the legacy that he would leave behind after he steps down. He also cracked a few jokes which the audience applauded several times.

Those who attended the event were given a yellow band with Roxas’ name printed on it, yellow t-shirt and tarpaulin signs with various slogans of the politician, a tuna sandwich and a small bottle of cola.

Aquino also visited Misamis Occidental and Davao del Norte where he inspected government and tourism projects in the provinces. (Mindanao Examiner)

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