As the nation celebrates the 29th anniversary of the
bloodless EDSA-1 Revolution, 600 members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines
(AFP) and the Philippine National Police (P)NP) marched together at the
historic highway to show their unity and continued solidarity in serving the
Filipino people.
This event was called as the "Unity Walk," AFP
Civil Relations Service commander Brig. Gen. Joselito Kakilala said.
“This shows that the AFP and PNP are united, cohesive, and
focused in our respective missions to protect the people and secure the
sovereignty of the state,” he added.
From Camp Aguindalo ’s Gate 2, soldiers met with some 300 PNP
personnel along MRT Santolan station where they link their arms together
signifying the spirit of “Kapit-Bisig” while marching towards the People Power
Monument
“This signifies the moment when we attained full democracy
and at the same time, the strength and unity of AFP and PNP was also
demonstrated during this momentous event,” Kakilala said.
The CRS chief led the contingent from the AFP composed of
its three major services, Army, Air Force and Navy; GHQ and HSC personnel; and
Reserve Forces.
Chief Supt. Nestor Quinsay, Police Community Relations Group
director, on the other hand, led the PNP contingent.
The activity is reminiscent of the 1986 “Salubungan” when
ordinary citizens and members of the religious sector stopped tanks along EDSA
and convinced other soldiers to join them in toppling the Marcos regime.
One of the participants from the PNP is PO2 Jennifer Estretra
who has been participating at the "Unity Walk" for the past seven
years.
“I am happy to be part of this activity that reminds us the
importance of our history,” she said.
For AFP Sergeant Major Guillermo Francisco, the activity not
only reminds our people about the history of EDSA People Power Revolution.
“This shows that there is unity among AFP and PNP members,”
he said.
Francisco has been a participant of the "Unity
Walk" for seven consecutive years.
At the front of the parade march are six female officers
from the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines, and PNP.
They were carrying the banner of the Unity Walk; in it is
the activity’s theme: “EDSA 29: Ituloy and Pagbabago!”
“We are here to give importance to the hardship and
sacrifices of our comrades in the AFP and PNP during the EDSA Revolution,”
Capt. Marin Bello, one of the participating female officers, said.
“This is also to show our people that whatever challenges or
adversity that may come to our organizations, there will always be unity
between AFP and PNP,” she added.
Leading the ceremony at the People Power
Monument
He led the wreath-laying ceremony at the sculpture of
towering people to honor the heroes of EDSA Revolution who fought against the
Marcos regime to bring back democracy for the country.
Aquino was joined by high-ranking security officials
including Secretary of National Defense, Voltaire T. Gazmin; Secretary of
Interior and Local Government, Mannuel Roxas; AFP chief-of-staff, General
Gregorio Pio P. Catapang Jr.; and PNP officer-in-charge, Deputy Director
General Leonardo Espina.
Also present were members of the EDSA People Power
Commission led by Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. and Commissioner Ogie
Alcasid.
The ceremony was simple and attended by more or less 300
civilians from different sectors and the marchers.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=738903
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