MANILA—To bring lasting peace in Mindanao, the government must be able and willing to talk and negotiate with the warring groups in the region.
“We cannot fight forever and we have to talk,” said PDP-LABAN standard bearer Rodrigo Duterte during the third leg of the Pilipinas Debates held Sunday at the University of Pangasinan, Dagupan City.
By groups, he was referring the New People’s Army, Moro Islamic Liberation Front and Moro National Liberation Front.
And only by peace negotiations can the government correct “historical injustice” committed against the Moros during the centuries, he noted.
By these, Duterte was referring to Spanish and American efforts to colonize Mindanao without regards to its religion, culture and way of life.
Only when these “historical injustices” have been corrected will peace reign in Mindanao, said Duterte, adding that his administration will do everything it can to rectify these errors.