Gifts, inspiring letters for soldiers fighting in Marawi

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 25): Gifts, inspiring letters for soldiers fighting in Marawi

Students from various schools here have taken the initiative to give bundles of gift to servicemen and women assigned in Marawi City, where government forces are engaged in the months-long fight against the ISIS-inspired terrorist Maute Group.

The students handed over a total of 3,000 “victory boxes” to the Philippine Army’s 4th Infantry Division (4ID) for distribution to soldiers assigned in Marawi, said Capt. Joe Patrick Martinez, 4ID spokesperson.

Each “victory box” contains various goods and comes with the giver’s personal letter, mostly inspiring messages to help boost the morale of soldiers, said Martinez.

A letter from John Gabriel Suralta, president of the federation of high school student governments in the city, exhorted the government troops to continue fighting for “a peaceful Philippines”.

Suralta writes: “As we give you these simple gifts that are specially sealed in boxes, on behalf of the elementary and high school students in Cagayan de Oro, we would like to say 'Thank You' from the bottom of our hearts for standing in front of the enemies so as to ensure that we are all safe and protected. May God bless you always!"

An elementary student, Errol Fynn Chester Castrodes, said his gift was a simple gesture of gratitude to the troops for the “freedom and liberty that I am enjoying today”.

Castrodes said his parents and teachers have taught him that “there are people we don’t know personally but we greatly owe them”.

Martinez said the “victory boxes” were turned over to the military at the 4ID headquarters in Camp Evangelista, Barangay Patag, this city, on July 21. He added that soldiers wounded in action who are recuperating at the 4ID station hospital also received care packages from the students.

Maj. Gen. Benjamin Madrigal, 4ID commander, expressed gratitude for the “victory boxes”, saying it signified the people’s “trust and support to your soldiers as we continue to fight for the preservation of our territorial integrity and the safety and freedom of our people and communities”.

Madrigal said it was heartwarming that despite their young age, the students have appreciated and understood the armed forces’ efforts in “winning the peace in Mindanao”.

“It is even more touching that you were able to think of giving us these victory boxes out of your meager allowances and that together with these boxes are your letters of support and encouragement for our soldiers,” he told the students.

Madrigal said this gesture will serve as the soldiers’ “inspiration and motivation to do our job even better. We are truly overwhelmed and grateful. Your act of kindness is more than enough and surely means the world to us.”

Martinez said the “victory boxes”, received by the military on July 21, have been airlifted to Marawi City for distribution to the troops.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1002809