LAS NAVAS, NORTHERN SAMAR - Vice President Sara Duterte told soldiers here that one way to effectively protect the people is to gain their trust and cooperation by showing they care for them and their well-being.

Duterte, who is also the Co-Vice Chairperson of the National Task Force to End Local Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), was the guest of honor at the 20th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army’s 73rd Founding Anniversary in Barangay San Jose here Wednesday.

She thanked the soldiers for resolutely and faithfully adhering to their noble duty of protecting the people not only in Northern Samar but in the whole Visayas Region.

Earlier, Duterte was joined by a Grade 4 student of the San Jorge Elementary School, in a ceremonial tree planting inside the camp. The student is a scholar of the Philippine Army.

She also reminded the local elected officials that the Armed Forces of the Philippines cannot do it alone as local government units are also responsible in taking care of the communities.

“Let this partnership, cooperation, convergence enable you to march ahead in defeating the scourge of insurgency plots to the lives of the innocent, especially the youth,” she said.

She, however, cautioned them that “gaining peace is easier than sustaining it.”

“I am confident that your commitment to building genuine friendships will continue to increase the cooperation and vigilance of the communities you serve,” she said.

Duterte, who is also the Education Secretary, also urged them to work tirelessly in advocating education to solve the insurgency problems.

“Together, let us forge ahead through excellence and love of country and work towards our shared hopes of a stronger nation and a more resilient future,” she said. Duterte earlier visited the Las Navas National High School and San Jorge Elementary School where she distributed PagbaBAGo bags to selected students. The bags contain school supplies and dental kits. OVP MEDIA