Outgoing
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) vice chief of staff Lt. Gen. Alan R. Luga
will don his military uniform for the last time on Monday after 33 years in the
active service but will leave a legacy to the institution he loves so dearly --
a handbook he wrote on the importance of spiritual fitness that enabled him to
come out alive unscathed in all combats he had through prayers and faith in
God.
The
copies of hardbound 44-page, 3-inch by 4-inch Spiritual Fitness Handbook, were
distributed during the testimonial review in his honor tendered by his mother
unit, the Philippine Army, in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City last Friday.
During
the ceremony, Lt. Gen. Hernando DCA Iriberri, Army commanding general,
presented to Luga various awards for the latter’s accomplishments in his more
than three decades in the military service. Assisting Iriberri was Col.
Bienvenido R. Datuin Jr., assistant chief of staff for personnel (G-1).
Iriberri
praised Luga for his dedication to his sworn duty to defend the country in
times of trouble.
As
a young officer, Luga saw extensive action during the Mindanao
uprising by the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and later by the Moro
Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
He
was also active in the government’s anti-insurgency campaign against the
communist New People’s Army (NPA) in Southern Luzon .
Luga
attributed his success in his military career, particularly coming out
unscathed during combat operations, to God’s Almighty power.
On
Monday, AFP chief of staff Gen. Emmanuel Bautista will give a testimonial
dinner for Luga in Camp
Aguinaldo
There
is no replacement yet for the post vacated by Luga but President Benigno S.
Aquino III is expected to announce the new AFP vice chief of staff when he
returns from Myanmar where he is attending a conference of the Association of
Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) leaders.
In
his handbook, Luga cites "a Christian perspective for soldiers and
families."
A
devout Christian, Luga said that it was his faith in God that gave him the
courage to lead in in assaulting rebel strongholds in Mindanao ,
particularly in Dinaig, Maguindanao as platoon leader of the Army’s 35th
Infantry Battalion (IB).
Before
going to battle, Luga never forgot to pray for protection not only for himself
but all the men under him.
He
related how he survived unscathed in seven major battles against terror groups
and criminal elements in Mindanao in 1997 and
1998.
The
three-star general, a graduate of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class
1981, cited the importance of the comprehensive fitness of the soldiers and
their respective families.
“To
increase the post-adversity resilience of soldiers and their families, they
must develop strength in five key domains that together make up the whole
person,” he said.
These
five domains are physical: fitness, strength, endurance and flexibility gained
through exercise and nutrition; emotional: optimistic attitude, demonstrating
self-control, stamina and good character in choices, actions; social: having
trusted, valued relationships that are personally fulfilling and foster good
communication; family: part of a family unit that is safe, supportive, loving,
and providing a healthy and secure environment; and spiritual: strong beliefs,
principles and values sustaining a person beyond all other potential sources of
strength.
On
the spiritual battle drills, Luga said that Bible study greatly helps because
"God’s word provides you with spiritual food, insight and safety."
He
said there are six ways to take the words of God: hear, read, study, memorize,
meditate and integrate into daily life, adding that “if you read 15 to 20
minutes each day, you can cover the entire Bible in one year.”
For
protection, he recommended to pray daily Psalm 91 which is being considered as
a soldier’s prayer.
The
Spiritual Fitness Handbook also gives pointers on how to prepare for spiritual
warfare before and during deployment.
There
is also the topic on advanced spiritual fitness on “how to be filled
(controlled, empowered and guided) by the Holy Spirit.”
There
are lots to be learned by reading this spiritual handbook that will make
soldiers the Soldiers for Christ.
The
Spiritual Fitness Handbook is undoubtedly Gen. Luga's humble contribution to
spread the Words of God.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=642599
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