Duterte wants more Muslim cadets enlisted in military

FILE: President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (KARL NORMAN ALONZO/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO)

Stressing that not all Moro people are enemies, President Rodrigo Duterte said he would want to see more Muslims joining the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP).

This remark was made during 39th Commencement Exercises for the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) “Maragtas” Class of 2018 in Silang, Cavite on Wednesday, March 21.

“I’d like to remind everybody that we are one nation, that not all the Moro in Mindanao are our enemy.

So maybe next time, there should be a percentage of the Moro people joining the PMA (Philippine Military Academy) or the PNPA. We need them,” Duterte said.

The President said that he has witnessed the bravery of Muslim forces in numerous battles, including the five-month siege in Marawi City.

“I have seen with my own eyes the experience in the so many battles including Marawi. Many of the Moro people who are soldiers were there and many died for our country,” he said

The Chief Executive added that the entire Filipino nation needs more police and military officers who could help keep the peace and order in Mindanao.

“We cannot govern this country by just selecting from the other provinces without looking towards Mindanao and we need officers trained, and we need to work with them in Mindanao and let us include them,” he noted.

Aside from the Moros, Duterte said he would like that slots in the PNPA and PMA are divided “among the tribes” in the country such as Ilocanos and Visayans.

“I hope by the next batch or the next — the one coming up for this generation, I will have the money to give you to enlist more police officers,” he stressed.

Duterte congratulated all PNPA graduates and told them to remain alert against communist terrorists as the country is “at a war.”

The Philippine leader warned, “I’d like to just point out three things. Bantay kayo kasi (Be alert because) the sparrows are very active. Kayong may mga baril (Those who have guns), be sure not to display it, and be sure to keep a low profile. And if you enter a place na hindi naman kayo kilala (that you are not familiar with), keep a sub rosa style of movement.”