Alleged failure of military and PNP to protect civilians: an unfair statement

CAMP LUKBAN, Catbalogan, Samar – Failure of military and PNP to protect civilians as quoted from Sen. Chiz Escudero’s statement in his interview over the ABS-CBN News Channel (ANC) which was published as “Top Story” in a December 4-10 issue of Bullhorn newspaper is an unfair sweeping statement.

Said statement was aired relative to the issue of Maguindanao massacre wherein the Ampatuans are accused of killing almost 60 people including some of the local media practitioners.

Bullhorn’s title carrier, “Military and PNP failed to protect civilians” in their early December issue is misleading and irresponsible considering that Sen. Escudero was only referring to Maguindanao.

The AFP as always is focused on its mandated task of protecting the lives and even the properties of the people. As professional organization, proofs were already been noted in its various traditional and non-traditional role of performing its mandate.

The incident in Maguindanao could not be blamed against the AFP. Although it was one of the most brutal election-related atrocities ever recorded, it was an isolated instance that should not be compared to other areas where peace is dominated thru the AFP. Moreover, the incident is politically-motivated.

Sen. Escudero is right when he said, “If you are not a soldier or personnel in uniform, you have no business carrying a gun” because no civilian must possess any kind of firearms without proper authority. The AFP is firm to implement such especially to terrorist-infested areas.

In Eastern Visayas and in other areas covered by the 8th Infantry Division, the Internal Security Operations (ISO) is properly carried out. With the intensive collaboration of other stakeholders, numbers of illegally armed groups/rebels are notably decreasing due to the Army’s successful implementation of its campaign against internal threats.

Successive encounters against the rebels and private armed groups that freed our local settlers were successfully carried out by the Army for the past years. This is manifested by the support spearheaded by the local government and other peoples’ organizations who are contented with the service of the 8ID troopers.

This resulted to the downgrade of enemy’s guerilla fronts in Leyte and Samar provinces that declined the enemy’s affectation in the whole region. Two more guerilla fronts are expected to downgrade for this quarter.

The effective implementation of ISO in Central Visayas should be taken into consideration. Cebuanos and Boholanos are now experiencing the result of having insurgent-free provinces where development is really atop.

Luzon should also be considered since the socio-economic zone from Metropolitan Manila is now extended up to the provinces of CALABARZON and in Bulacan due to degradation of terrorist rebels thru the success of the AFP’s campaign. The AFP is generally winning the battle against the rebellious group for the sake of the people.

This sweeping statement depicting the futility of the AFP in its fight against the depressive group for the sake of our people is no longer new. The AFP’s name has always been implicated in controversies in order to defame and destroy its nobility.

Although it cannot be denied that while the AFP is striving to bring forth the desired liberty of our people, there are some who are disinterested to the real aspirations of the AFP for their personal interest. The AFP is firm with their mandate of protecting our people for the benefit of the majority.

Team 8ID celebrates Christmas

Camp Lukban, Catbalogan, Samar – The Army’s 8th Infantry (Stormtroopers) Division celebrated the birth of Christ inside camp through simple yet meaningful activities highlighted inside camp last December 1 – 25.

The series of activities were all attended by the officers, enlisted personnel, dependents and civilian employees which were personally graced by their commander, Major General Arthur I. Tabaquero who always act as father of the stormtroopers.

The “Ceremonial Switching” of Christmas lights in the command building last December 1 signaled the start of long Christmas celebration inside camp. The twinkling of lights especially at night coupled with cold breeze of the air adds more excitement to the people that Christmas is really fast approaching.

Some activities include the Catholic’s traditional “Misa de Gallo”, Day Care’s Christmas party, morning serenade, medical and dental assistance, media Christmas fellowhip, decentralized and centralized command Christmas party, gift giving, and of course Noche Buena.

It was highlighted by various children’s magic show, fun games, sports competition, carols, lantern making contest and fellowship sharing of foods.

In the line units, although they are in the frontlines confronting the terrorist who might wreak havoc in different areas especially during this yuletide season, they never forgot to celebrate the date that reminds us how faithful our God is for sending his only begotten son to wash away our sins. Simple soiree with their men and dependents joined with gift-giving were initiated by different commanders.

Christmas of team 8ID may be different to other people because most of its personnel usually celebrate Christmas with out their families. Only few soldiers live with their family inside camp that can enjoy the spirit of Christmas together. Almost all soldiers endure the taught of living away from their family for the sake of people to live in prosperity and peaceful as they celebrate Christmas.

In his message, Major General Tabaquero said to his soldiers to share the brotherhood of men because they belong to one big family in the Army. Helping, caring, and working for each other, were also emphasized by General Tabaquero in order to do the heavy tasks on their shoulders as protectors of our country and our people.

“Christmas should not only be celebrated every end of the year. We must always carry the Spirit of Christmas in our hearts and in our minds because Christmas is a way of life that upholds love, forgiveness, charity and humility in every time of the year and in every opportunity that is given us by the One who gave Christmas in our lives”, he added.

With the culmination of the series of activities, the stromtroopers had their decentralized Christmas party in the mid-day of December 19, clustering different offices and post units within the different areas inside camp. Major General Tabaquero managed to visit each cluster to at least personally greet and convey his personal message to each member of his division including the dependents and civilian employees.

Meanwhile, a centralized get-together Christmas fellowship was also conducted at 8ID covered court in the evening of December 19 as a one big happy family of stormtroopers.

With this celebration, the 8ID family celebrated the birth of Jesus Christ, our savior with its real meaning of love, charity and sharing which they believe (Stormtrooper) that they will receive the goodness of God in the next year to come more than the blessings they received in this present year.

8ID gives blood on Christmas

Every year, different places different races are excited to re-experience the joy that Christmas brings. Although it is considered as the year-ender holiday celebrated every year (of course New Year is the start of the year), Christmas is the most meaningful celebration ever. Not because of the gifts or presents, new toys for the children, bountiful foods on table, Christmas carols playing on air, parties and many more things and activities to enjoy, but because we commemorates the fulfillment of prophecy that a boy will be born by the grace of God who will save us from all of our sins through his own blood.

This Christmas, the 8th Infantry (Stormtroopers) Division family included in their list of activities a one of a kind “gift giving”, although, this could not level on to the sacrifices that our Lord Jesus Christ made when he died on the cross. This “gift” could somewhat share a life and extend hope to our brethren who are deeply in the midst of hopelessness. The 8ID gave “blood” on Christmas thru a bloodletting activity as a pre-Christmas activity.

While most of us now are very busy preparing the menus for our parties, scanning the brochures for new clothes, checking accounts for budgets, rushing shopping and preparing our long list for gift-giving, there are people who are undeniably hibernating in some corners of our busy communities who cannot afford to do the same thing what majority is doing.

Most of them are dying and badly needs blood transfusion to at least extend their life shortly if they could not sustain it for long. They are our brothers and sisters who humbly need some share of our blood to keep them see the beauty of life that God has lend us. Many of these people die because of some blood that was deprived of them that was suppose to add some more years in their lives.

With the sterling support of the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) Leyte Chapter, the bloodletting activity was made possible. 150 bags of blood each having a capacity of 500cc of blood were collected out of those who volunteered which includes officers and soldiers of the division. Unlike in any other blood letting activities wherein the toughest part is to find those who are willing to donate their blood for free, PNRC proudly said, “Not in 8ID”. 8ID has been very good partner in the bloodletting activity and known to be the biggest source of blood in Region 8.

The moment where the needle is inserted into a vein on their arm is the most nerve-wracking moment of the experience. Not because of fear, but the thought of that, you become a co-creator of our Lord who help extends life. Filling up the bag with almost 500cc with blood that takes about half an hour to almost two hours depending upon the condition of the donor is another story. Some remain conscious and very alert all throughout some doze off half-way. All of them are satisfied that their little sacrifice will save hundreds of lives in the future. Almost all of them would return to donate some more once their bodies have replaced the donated blood because of the call of love to brethren.
Over-all, this simple act of charity and generosity is what makes us truly human and provide as the real meaning of Christmas in our hearts.
Christmas is definitely the most meaningful celebration ever, so why not celebrate it everyday. Let us always commemorate the fulfillment of prophecy when a boy was born by the grace of God that saved us from all of our sins through his own blood… That’s why 8ID gave blood this Christmas…