Dong Mangudadatu pushes for peace, development in Mindanao

DAVAO CITY, Philippines — Senatorial aspirant Zahid “Dong” Mangudadatu is pushing for the long elusive peace and genuine development to finally take place in Mindanao.

Mangudadatu, a resident of Buluan town in Maguindanao, said he has gone through different wars in Mindanao – the basis for his pursuing a PEACE platform, which stands for prosperity, education, agriculture, cultural unity and education.

Peace is not only his dream, he said, but also “the dream of all Mindanaoans.”

Mangudadatu wants to be remembered as Mindanao’s strong advocate of peace. “I want to be remembered as the PEACE Man,” he said.

Presidential daughter and Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, founding chair of the Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) regional party, described Mangudadatu as the key to Mindanao’s peace and progress.

President Duterte also cited Mangudadatu as “one of the good leaders of the Moro people, who will promote peace in Mindanao.”

“Help me. The war between tribes in Mindanao is really a challenge for me. And Dong will be the senator who will help me end this problem. He will truly promote peace in Mindanao,” Duterte said, as he asked voters to consider Mangudadatu in their Senate slate.

Mangudadatu vowed to work toward achieving peace, especially in Mindanao, as he wants to leave it as a legacy for future generations.

“If there is peace, investors will come in, especially in Mindanao, which has huge potentials that can bring the country to prosperity,” he said.

Mangudadatu is optimistic that attaining peace in Mindanao is not farfetched, banking on the full implementation of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL), which he supports to give the south a respite from the wars and lift the people from the bondage of poverty.

“We can achieve prosperity and improve our lives, a strong agriculture sector, cultural unity and we can benefit from the trillions worth of energy in Maguindanao if we have peace,” Mangudadatu said.

The Manguindanoan politician stressed that Mindanao and the Muslims need representation at the Senate.

“This person is you. We need you in the senate,” Mangudadatu quoted Duterte as saying.

The President likewise tapped Mangudadatu in the administration’s Balik-Baril Program designed to encourage rebels to surrender their firearms in exchange for livelihood packages and training for them to be reintegrated in their communities.

Through the help of Mangudadatu, over 900 loose firearms were turned over to the government during the program’s launch in the province.

Then came the Senate bid, which was really unplanned but only took shape when Duterte asked him to run.

“The President has been seeking me out on matters about Maguindanao, or peace in Mindanao,” he said. “Wala siyang ibang mapag-utusan (He has no one else to ask help from).”

Mangudadatu also found himself helping Duterte deal with overseas Filipino workers, especially distressed OFWs in the Middle East.

Mangudadatu is not taking lightly the President’s endorsement. He said it is about time for another Mindanaoan – a Muslim – to rise up and bring the voice of people from the south.