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KIDAPAWAN
CITY, Aug. 10 (PNA) -- The Liberal Party (LP)has paid tribute to Datu
Ibrahim ‘Toto’ Paglas III, who was an advocate of liberalism and peace
in Mindanao.
Paglas,
owner of Paglas Corporation, the biggest banana plantation in the
Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), died Thursday due to an
illness. He died at 48.
“Datu
Toto Paglas was a man of vision whose determination to bring real peace
and progress for the people of his town. Datu Paglas, serves as an
example of what it is to be a Filipino,” said LP president and Senator
Mar Roxas.
Roxas
said Paglas, who was the LP candidate for ARMM governor in the 2005
elections, has served as a role model for young and old Mindanaoans for
his internationally-renown success stories in bringing peace and
prosperity to his native Datu Paglas town in Maguindanao.
“Too
soon he has left us, yet even at a young age, he had done so much. We
will remember his legacy when we finally succeed in bringing
long-lasting peace in the region,” he added.
LP
National Chairman and former Senate President Frank Drilon said Paglas
was a “promoter of inter-culture and inter-faith dialogue and his
relentless pursuit of harmonious co-existence between Muslims and
non-Muslims was recognized in the international community of business
and political leaders.”
“The LP will certainly miss a true advocate of liberal democracy in Muslim Mindanao,” he added.
“Paglas was the best governor the ARMM never had,” said LP director general Chit Asis.
“He
was a man of genuine love and commitment, dedicated to the betterment
of the Moro people. He had a vision, and mission that he not only
preached but also worked for,” said Asis, also a close friend of
Paglas.
The
49-year-old Paglas III, who is the grandson of former Senator Salipada
K. Pendatun, died of bacterial meningitis with uncontrolled mellitus
diabetes.
Paglas was admitted to the hospital Monday and immediately slipped into a coma.
The illness allegedly started as an ear infection that got worse.
Datu Paglas, one of the towns in Maguindanao, is still being ruled by the Paglas family.
But
it was Toto Paglas, nephew of former MILF chairman Salamat Hashim,
which "converted" the once dying town to a progressive one when he
provided residents in the area sustainable livelihood opportunities.
(PNA)
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