Speaking at yesterday’s 105th Independence Day civic-military parade at the Zamboanga City Coliseum, Mrs. Arroyo said the fight for freedom is no longer in Cavite, Bataan or Corregidor, but in the "Land of Promise"–Mindanao.
"Mindanao, the land of promise is also our final frontier of freedom," she said.
Mrs. Arroyo said the government shall fight terrorism and poverty until peace, security and prosperity reign in Mindanao.
"Our most important focus of human freedom is Mindanao, freedom from fear, freedom from want and freedom from justice," she said.
In a speech mixed with Filipino and Chabacano, Mrs. Arroyo lauded Zamboanga City Mayor Ma. Clara Lobregat and other Mindanao leaders for supporting her "Mindanao Natin" peace and development program.
"We’re wielding the strong hands of government authorities, the compassionate hands of development and even the hands of enlightened diplomacy to win the peace for our people," she said.
"I’m grateful to show the world how Mindanao has become stronger and therefore the Philippines has become stronger," the President said.
Mrs. Arroyo said government must be brought back to the center of the lives of people in Mindanao so they would feel that they are part of the nation’s development.
"But you have my word that I wake up everyday determined to make progress for our country and I believe we have made progress," she said.
Mrs. Arroyo said she broke the traditional Independence Day celebrations last year when she led flag-raising rites in Lamitan town, Basilan after government troops rid the province of the Abu Sayyaf.
"Before that, hardly anything was raised in Basilan, neither hope nor crop grew even in the fertile land because of banditry and terrorism," she said.
"Now Basilan is in peaceful reawakening as the people have started to get hold of their future using their own hands and resources, aided by well-meaning allies for peace and development."
Mrs. Arroyo said she hopes government efforts to push economic growth and prosperity would gain more momentum, with the creation of more job opportunities, especially in Mindanao.
"And I have tried to return the loyalty and dedication of our great Filipino workers by working to reform the Philippines to shake it from its lethargy and outmoded ways of doing things so that we can prosper," she said.
"That is why I have labored to rebuild key strategic alliances for the Philippines in Asia, Europe, North America, including the United States."
Mrs. Arroyo said she would continue her administration’s drive to remove corruption in government and run after tax evaders so the people would get the fair deal that they deserve.
"We all share the desire to improve the economy and make things work to the advantage of the Filipino," she said.
"The great comparative advantage of the Philippines is rich human resources, highly skilled and English-speaking."
The government has expanded the boundaries of peace and progress in Mindanao, where there is peace, progress and hope, she added. — Marichu Villanueva, Roel Pareño