KIKO ATTENDS NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL MEETING,
REFUSES TO BE SILENT ON THE DEATHS OF CIVILIAN,
SOLDIERS AND REBELS IN SULU & BASILAN

" I refuse to be silent about a 3-decade old problem that remains unaddressed; particularly the issues of insurgency, the problems in Mindanao, and the rising death toll whether they be soldiers, civilians, or rebels. Even during the time I was a student in UP, insurgency was already a problem in Mindanao. After almost 3 decades, it remains still a problem of our country.

I am saddened by the recent turn of events, and because of this, it is deplorable to remain silent when our government still hasn't offered concrete and clear solutions. We need to find new ways to solve the problem. We can't turn to our old ways and old means of seeking peace in Mindanao. We hope to see finally comprehensive solutions in order to achieve true and lasting peace, and we cannot do this if we keep silent.

Almost P1 billion pesos will be spent each month if the government is to wage an all out war, similar to the siege of Camp Abubakar in 1999. If we could only use half of that amount to build schools, roads, water systems, and provide livelihood, I believe that we can achieve lasting peace in the areas of Mindanao. "