DWDD: UNITY THROUGH PROSPERITY | Army, LGU fight radicalization, taps Lumad Youth of Bukidnon

From DWDD AFP Civil Relations Service Radio Website (Oct 6): UNITY THROUGH PROSPERITY |  Army, LGU fight radicalization, taps Lumad Youth of Bukidnon

 

CAMP OSITO D. BAHIAN, Bukidnon (DWDD) – The local government unit of Malaybalay City, Bukidnon, in collaboration with the 403rd Infantry “Peacemaker” Brigade of the Army’s 4th Infantry Division, conducted a three (3) – day Youth Leadership Summit from September 29 to October 1, 2017 for the youth leaders coming from the Bukidnon, Higaonon, and Umayamnon Tribes with the theme“Kagpabaton-batona daw malambag sa bungkatol ha bulawan” (Unity through prosperity).

The activity, which was held at Mt. Moriah Camp and Conference Center inBrgy. Patpat, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon, aims to empower the Lumad youth by honing their leadership potentials and re-indoctrinating them about the cultures and traditions of their tribes so that they may become conduits of peace, development, and culture preservation in their respective communities. The activity also serves as a venue for spreading awareness among the youth on the radicalization and recruitment efforts of local terrorist groups and other lawless elements.

During the summit, the Lumad youth leaders were able to know and understand the different cultures, traditions, and rights of the Indigenous Peoples; the various government programs for the youth; and the prevailing issues and challenges that they face and how they could cope with them as they embark on their journey towards becoming community leaders who are committed on peace building and in the promotion of a culture of peace in oursociety.

In a simple Closing Ceremony on October 1, 2017, around 11:30 am, Atty. Nestor E. Cajes, Jr., the Provincial Administrator of Bukidnon, who acted as the Keynote Speaker, challenged the participants to go back to the culture of theLumad and avoid violence as a means of airing one’s grievances. He also mentioned that all people have equal rights regardless of tribe.

He said that “Kita tanan pareha ra tag katungod. Pareha ra tag katungodmupadayag sa atong mga kaligotgot, sa atong mga problema. Pero dili sakatong mga radical or extreme nga pamaagi. At the end of the day, walanasulbad ang problema. Makita ninyo nga ang extremism dili maoy tubag saatong mga hinaing.” (We all have equal rights. We have equal rights to express our grievances and our problems but not through radical or extreme means. At the end of the day, you’ll realize that it is not the answer to our problems.)

Likewise, Atty. Richard D. Macas, the Provincial Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative (IPMR) of Bukidnon, urged the participants to advocate peace in their communities. He mentioned that “Ang bungkatol ha bulawan kung atokining sabton mura kini ug Golden Rule. Nindot nga batasan nga iya sa tribu. Kita nga mga Lumad, by nature, peace-loving kita. Busa ato kining ipahayag saatong kumunidad.” (We could relate Bungkatol ha Bulawan to the Golden Rule. It is the good deeds of the tribe. By nature, we Lumads are peace-loving people and we need to advocate this to our tribes.)

Meanwhile, COL ERIC C VINOYA INF (GSC) PA, Commander, 403rd Infantry “Peacemaker” Brigade, expressed his gratitude to the Local Government Unit of Malaybalay City and to all participants and facilitators of the Youth Leadership Summit.

He also mentioned the importance of conducting the activity as a means of insulating our youth from the dangers of radicalization and exploitation and ensuring their bright future.

“I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to our partners in peace, the Local Government Unit of Malaybalay City, Bukidnon under the leadership of Hon. Ignacio W. Zubiri, the City Mayor, for supporting the program. Likewise, I would also want to thank the facilitators and the participants of this leadership summit. It is very important that we insulate our youth, most especially theLumads, from the perils of radicalization and violent extremism that is brought about by the exploitations being made by some ill-motivated organizations such as the CPP-NPA-NDF and other local terrorist groups and lawless elements. By empowering and capacitating them to become conduits of peace and development, we can ensure a bright future for Bukidnon and for our country.” – says COL VINOYA. 403IBde/MCAG

http://dwdd.com.ph/2017/10/06/unity-through-prosperity-army-lgu-fight-radicalization-taps-lumad-youth-of-bukidnon/