Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, during his visit to the troops of Task Force Samal stationed in Barangay Peñaplata, Samal Island, Davao del Norte on Sunday emphasized the importance of unity, service, and dedication to the community.
The event was attended by 144 enlisted personnel and Special CAFGU Active Auxiliary (SCAA). He was also invited to join their situational briefing.
In discussing the development projects he had supported in the region, Go emphasized the uniformed personnel’s role in community development.
“Huwag kayong magpasalamat sa amin. Kami ang dapat na magpasalamat sa inyo for keeping Samal peaceful, safe, malinis, at napakaganda masyado,” he said.
Go commended the bravery and heroism of uniformed personnel in safeguarding the community. He assured the troops that they may approach him anytime if they need his assistance, emphasizing his commitment to champion their cause and be of service to them in recognition of their valiant efforts to safeguard the lives of Filipinos.
During the visit, Go, accompanied by his team, engaged in a distribution activity, providing the stationed personnel with various forms of assistance. The distributed goods included pails filled with essential supplies, basketballs and volleyballs to encourage sports activities, watches, and snacks.
In his speech, Go recalled the transformation of Davao region as a safe and secure community, thanks to the collective efforts of its leaders, the military, law enforcers and its people.
He vividly described the aftermath of the Sasa Wharf bombing and the attack at the Davao airport in 2003, bringing to light the direct impact of these events on the community. This harrowing experience, he explained, was a catalyst for the establishment of Task Force Davao under then-mayor and former president Rodrigo Duterte’s leadership.
He also touched upon a significant incident in 2015, the kidnapping at the Holiday Oceanview Samal Resort, underscoring ongoing security challenges and the need for continued vigilance and improvement in anti-terrorism strategies.
He shared experiences of visiting conflict zones, including Marawi City and Jolo, more than ten times, often under dangerous conditions, to provide support for the troops. He then asserted, “kung hindi natapos ang giyera sa Marawi (City), hindi natin mararating ang peace na meron tayo ngayon.”
He reiterated his commitment to supporting the military and police, who are at the forefront of these efforts: “Naaalala n’yo noong 2018, inuna namin ni (dating) presidente Duterte na i-doble ang sahod ng pulis, military at uniformed personnel.”
“Kung ano ang makakabuti sa ating uniformed personnel, iyon ang palagi kong ipaglalaban. Buhay ang sinasakripisyo ninyo para sa ikabubuti ng bansa,” he stressed earlier emphasizing his and former president Duterte’s desire to always promote the welfare of the military.
Image credits: Philippine Information Agency
