Kalinaw News: KAYO concludes YLS against CTGs in Conner, Apayao

Posted to Kalinaw News (Mar 14, 2022): KAYO concludes YLS against CTGs in Conner, Apayao



CAMP MELCHOR F DELA CRUZ, Upi, Gamu, Isabela- “Alam natin yung mga napapanood at naririnig natin sa mga balita na ginagamit lamang ng mga teroristang NPA ang mga kabataan upang labanan ang pamahalaan at kung mamalasin, mapapatay pa sa engkwentro. Ito ang ayaw naming mangyari sa mga kabataan dito sa aming lugar,” said Garry Tubban, President of Kalinga-Apayao Youth Organization (KAYO) after the successful three-day Youth Leadership Summit held in Barangay Caglayan, Conner, Apayao.

58 youths participated in the said activity that was initiated by the KAYO together with the Local Government Unit of Conner, Apayao, and the 50th Infantry Battalion from March 11-13, 2022. The participants came from Barangays Allangigan, Catablangan, and Nabuangan of the said town.

Tubban also said that they have initiated the conduct of YLS to awaken and give knowledge to their fellow youth about the deceptions and atrocities of the Communist Terrorist Group. “Base na rin sa isinasagawang Community Support Program ng ating kasundaluhan mula sa 50th Infantry Battalion, napag-alaman natin na isa ang sektor ng kabataan sa binibiktima at nire-rekrut upang maging miyembro ng teroristang NPA. Dahil dito, inorganisa natin ang tatlong araw na YLS. Isa na rin itong paraan upang mailigtas ang mga kabataan sa panlilinlang ng mga Communist Terrorist Group ganundin ang mga organisasyong sumusuporta rito.”

Aside from learning the deceptive recruitment of the CTGs, the three-day activity also included lectures from the PNP, Team Building, Spiritual Awakening, Clean-Up Drive, and other Social Activities.

The activity with the theme “Empowering the Youth as Peace Builders” aimed to develop the self-confidence, cooperation, discipline, and leadership skills of the youth. This is also designed to promote a positive and healthy self-image, critical thinking, love of country, social responsibility, and to inculcate the spirit of volunteerism among the youth.

Mark Jay Lugayan, the elected YLS- Conner Chapter President, expressed his gratitude for the conduct of YLS and in molding them to be a catalyst of change in their community. “We were taught to make a stand and contribute for the betterment and development of our Barangay and the municipality as a whole. The things that we learned in the three-day Youth Leadership Summit will be our foundation to empower ourselves as peacebuilders in our community. “

LtC Melanio Somera, Battalion Commander of 50IB thanked the KAYO and the local government of Conner for initiating the activity that develops the youth to become responsible members of the community. “Truly, youths are the peacebuilders. With your initiative to conduct YLS, you just saved your fellow youths from the deception of CTGs. Let us all advocate peace and development in our country. Tunay na ang kabataan ang pag-asa ng ating bayan!”

Meanwhile, MGen Laurence E Mina, Commander of 5th Infantry Division, Philippine Army lauded the efforts and commitment of the Kalinga-Apayao Youth Organization for the successful conduct of the YLS in Conner, Apayao. “The youth sector plays a vital role in the society. We should develop and hone their capabilities to prepare them for their future. It is our shared responsibility to protect them from the lies and deceits of the CTG.”

[Kalinaw News is the official online source of information on the pursuit for peace in the Philippines This website is a property of the Civil-Military Operations Regiment, Philippine Army located at Lawton Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City Contact us: kalinawnews@cmoregiment.com]

https://www.kalinawnews.com/kayo-concludes-yls-against-ctgs-in-conner-apayao/