Feature: Peace Caravan: A new beginning in Misamis Oriental

From the Philippine Information Agency (Jun 29): Feature: Peace Caravan: A new beginning in Misamis Oriental

CAMP EVANGELISTA, Cagayan de Oro City -- Peace is no longer a dream rather a reality.
 
Datu Bruno Lindahay, Tribal Chieftain of Barangay Kibanban said this during a peace caravan held at Balingasag town, Misamis Oriental on June 27 with a theme “Ang Panaghiusa maoy taytayan sa Kalinaw ug Kalambuan (Unity is our bridge towards Peace and Development).”

The caravan is jointly conducted by the local government unit, national government agencies, Philippine National Police (PNP), and 4th Infantry Division (4ID) of Philippine Army (PA).

The event left a simple yet very memorable event…a smile, laughter and a feeling of gratitude on every people in Kibanban.

Datu Lindahay said, “Daku gayud ang among pagpasalamat sa amoang lokal nga panggamhanan, mga ahensiya sa gobyerno ilabi na usab sa tanang sundalo nga nitambong niining makasaysayanong panagtigum para ihatud kanamu ang mga programa para sa kalinaw og kalambuan og labaw sa tanan ang kalipay nga dili na namu malimtan.”

(We would like to thank our local officials and agencies and to all soldiers who conducted this very memorable event to bring programs for peace and development and most especially the happiness that will never be forgotten.)

For his part, Col Jessie A Alvarez, Brigade Commander of 403rd Infantry Brigade (403Bde) said this activity will never be realized if not with the convergence of everyone.

He hopes that through this peace caravan, they were able to reunite everyone in Kibanban towards their goals and aspirations of having a peaceful community that is ready for further development.

The program started with the conduct of a solemn ritual by the Higaonons of Brgy Kibanban together with the soldiers and former rebels, who are also Higaonons from other areas in Northern Mindanao.

They prayed and asked for enlightenment of their members who joined the armed struggle to go back to where they belong.

After the ritual was the symbolic planting of tree of hope by the youth leaders in Northern Mindanao and the Indigenous People (IP) youth of the barangay.

This activity symbolizes hope and a new beginning for the people in their community.

After the two highlights of the peace caravan was the services for the people.

Services include feeding program; medical and dental services; cacao seedling, slippers and food distribution; circumcision and free haircut; and distribution of school supplies.

While these services are being given, series of fun games have been conducted that brought happiness and laughter to everyone during the Peace Caravan.

MGen Oscar T Lactao, Commander of 4th Infantry Division said now is the time to forget the pain in the past.

Let us all move forward and focus to the Bayanihan activities that will reunite every people in every community. This Caravan is our way to encourage the NPAs especially those who belong to this tribe to lay down their arms and renew their life. They too deserve a second chance, said Lactao.

“Once again, I urge everyone to take part on our peace advocacies. Let us work together to achieve our common goal so that we can all live in peace and harmony,” MGen Lactao added.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1461435560860/feature-peace-caravan-a-new-beginning-in-misamis-oriental