By Michael Vincent D. Cajulao
ZAMBOANGA CITY – Secretary of Interior and
Local Government Mar Roxas said President Benigno Aquino III is still in
Zamboanga City and is very much involved in the resolution of the crisis here.
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Roxas quashed doubts on the whereabouts of the President saying, “May
pagdududa ba ngayon kung nasaan ang Presidente? Limang araw nang naandito ang
Presidente sa Zamboanga City (Is there any doubt about the whereabouts of the
President? The President is now on his fifth day here in Zamboanga City.)”
Roxas stressed that Pres. Aquino is focused on what is happening and that
his priority is delivery of assistance to the evacuees and the safety of the
remaining hostages and the city in general.
“Nakatutok ang gating pangulo sa problemang ito. (The President is
focused on the problem). He is very much involved in the decision-making on how
to resolve the problem,” Roxas said.
He added that the decision not to be visible to the public is to make
sure that government forces stay focused on their operation against the MNLF
rebels.
“The President is not roaming around, going to evacuation centers and
other areas because he wants our troops not to be divided and to concentrate on
their operations. If the President would go out, troops will also be assigned
to make sure of his safety. This will lessen our troops on the ground,” Roxas
explained.
Meanwhile, Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Dinky
Soliman said everything is being done to make sure that the needs of the
evacuees are met, especially on the rehabilitation of the affected areas.
“Suffice it to say, the President has ordered us to help in the
rehabilitation of the houses burned as a result of this crisis. We are now
asking Mayor Beng Climaco to help us in preparing the necessary data for the
rehabilitation,” Sec. Soliman said.
She also emotionally appealed to the media to be more balanced in their
reporting.
“If there are 100 evacuees whom you have interviewed that are hungry,
please remember that we are also feeding 65,000 evacuees. If you have
interviewed 100 persons that are hungry, then report it by saying ‘100 evacuees
are hungry.’ Do not generalize by saying the evacuees are experiencing hunger.
It’s unfair to our social workers, other government employees and the many
volunteers who have been working really hard just to make sure that the foods
are delivered to our evacuees,” she said in a cracking voice. (PIA9)