By Lou Ellen Antonio


BALO-I, Lanao del Norte (PIA) --With the recent surrender of a child member of the Dawlah Islamiya-Maute Group (DI-MG), Munai Mayor Racma Andamama emphasized that parents should guide and protect their children from the recruitment of local terrorist groups. 

“Alam natin na ang isa sa target (ng mga terorista) ay ang mga kabataan. Para hindi mapasama sa mga grupo ng mga terorista, kailangan nating gabayan ang ating mga anak,” she said. 

[We know that one of the targets (of the terrorists) is the youth. In order to prevent them from joining the terrorist groups, we need to guide our children.]

Andamama also cited the value of providing services to far-flung areas. She said that they plan to provide services to the community where the surrenderee lives.

The Munai mayor also conveyed gratitude to the collaborative efforts of the 4th Mechanized Infantry “Kalasag” Battalion and other stakeholders. She said that they are committed to providing support for the surrender tree and will conduct assessments to determine the needs of the child to have a fresh start. 

“Umasa kayo na kung kailangan niyo ang tulong namin, gagawin namin ang makakaya namin para sa pagpapanatili ng kapayapaan sa aming lugar,” she said.

Andamama also hoped that peace will be maintained in their community especially during the upcoming elections in May. (LELA/PIA Lanao del Norte)