“Tabak” handed over

The leadership of the 1st Infantry (Tabak) Division of the Philippine Army was passed from Major General Nehemias Pajarito to Major General Romeo Lustestica in a change of command ceremonies last 24 February 2009.

MGen Pajarito, the outgoing commander and who was also retiring from the service that day, thanked the troops for their support to his leadership. He, likewise, expressed confidence that under the new commander the 1st Division will continue to deliver its mission with excellence.

MGen Lustestica, the new division commander and the former Deputy Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, outlined in his assumption speech the core priorities in running the 1st Infantry Division:

• To uphold the peace process with the MILF while taking punitive action against those who have abandoned it;
• To maintain the intensity of operation against the Abu Sayyaf and the Jemaah Islamiyah terrorist groups that are operating in the division’s area of responsibility;
• To push resources to the frontline units;
• To strengthen the chain of command by exacting the highest standard of discipline and for commanders to lead by example; NOT to tolerate military adventurism; and,
• To take extra efforts to bring the Army closer to the people.

As we bid goodbye to MGen Pajarito and wish him well in his retirement life, we welcome our new commander to lead the Tabak Division to further heights in the service of the country. See a related article at MindaNews.

Memories of the heart

By stroke of fate, I found myself again posted in the same place--Lanao--for the 3rd time: first as a junior officer in the early 80s, then as battalion commander in 2000, and now as brigade commander. Fond memories of the past easily come by on idle days, as on Valentine’s Day, more so when away from our loved ones.

Far from my loved ones on the “Day of the Hearts” and after 24 years, I finally managed to visit my marital godparents: former Linamon Mayor Albertino and Citsunsicion Macas. Both of them, now in their early 80's, were in high spirits and had just arrived from their separate civic and social activities. Where years ago stood their wooden house, as I can still vividly recall, had already been replaced with concrete structures.

















Over a chocolate cake that I especially made out for them, we reminisced the past as much as we could remember. I obviously had to fill in the events in between since the time I last saw them. As I did, they delighted going-over the pictures of my family and that of my grandson--the same images I had locked in my heart.

In bidding goodbye to give them more time on their own, I was amazed at how they aged gracefully and appeared quite fulfilled. I then realized how time passed so quickly as we get passionately consumed in pursuing our dreams, but missing on the little and pleasant things in life. I walked away with a strange feeling of an intense longing for the company of my own family. Perhaps, indeed, as we grow older, we come to think more of home.

On my way back to camp, I shook myself out of my reverie to focus on what still lays ahead: continuing with life’s journey and drawing inspiration from the many memories kept in my heart.

Masons—builders of peace & development

“Haring Gangis!”—I overheard a brother Mason greet arriving fraternal guests to the 31st Public Installation of Officers at Glicerio Lim Memorial Lodge 222 (under the Free and Accepted Masons of the Philippines) in Bagong-Dawis, Baroy, Lanao del Norte last February 7. This greeting, usually used in addressing the master of a Masonic lodge, is an attempted Visayan translation to warmly welcome visiting fraternal dignitaries.

After an elaborate ceremony in welcoming and presenting the guests, a more intricate and lengthy process followed in installing the new set of elected and appointed officers of the lodge for MY 2009:

Worshipful Master - Resnol C. Torres
Senior Warden - George C. Paderanga, Jr
Junior Warden - Diego P. Limbaring
Treasurer - Marconi J. Lim
Secretary - Lino R. Penaflor
Auditor - Victory L. Demiar
Chaplain - Efraim S. Sanes
Marshal - Timoteo F. Carwana
Senior Deacon - James T. Espinosa
Junior Deacon - Alexander B. Mitmug
Orator - Casimero D. Tamparong
Almoner - Francisco B. Jagonia
Lecturer - Marconi J. Lim
- Diosdado V. Yap Jr.
- Nicolas J. Lim
Senior Steward - Laloy A. Pajiji
Junior Steward - Mark Anthony B. Gomez
Organist - Musa M. Sanguila
Tyler - Florendo B. Opay

Brother Macapado A. Muslim, the Mindanao State University President, as the guest speaker cited widespread poverty, armed conflict, and mal-governance as problems in our society that needed intervention. He asked the masons to get involved by taking a more active role in building peace and building development; he challenged everyone to operationalize the Masonic basic teachings.

In addressing the group, I committed my brigade to support the activities of the fraternity similar to what is being extended to the other NGOs and civil society organizations which are all pursuing peace and development in Lanao del Norte. I also openly pointed my interest to explore Brother Muslim’s suggestions with reference to Yohan Galtung’s triangle of violence (direct/personal, structural and cultural) as an approach to curb armed conflict.

My congratulations to the new and the outgoing sets of officers of Glicerio Lim Memorial Lodge 222. May all of you continue to live by the principles of Freemasonry of “brotherly love, relief, and truth” not only within the fraternity but for all of humanity.

"To make a difference"

"To make a difference" was how Ms. Marit Stinus-Remonde, District Governor of Kiwanis International, described the purpose of her visit at 104th Infantry Brigade area in Lanao del Norte last February 6. Her visit was long delayed due to the violent incidents that rocked the province.

It is then understandable that her husband, Press Secretary Cerge Remonde, was seemingly reluctant to have her visit the place. After visiting Kiwanis in Iligan City, she insisted to see what life is in the land of the Maranaos particularly in the hinterland barangays. I then brought her Kiwanis group to visit Barangay Delabayan of Kauswagan. The barangay had served as a model of interfaith activities with starting with the “Project Islam.” (Islam meant “I Sincerely Love All Muslims.”) At Delabayan, she met with its traditional leader—Sultan Moner—who explained their condition; talked to the local folks; and visited the schools. She also conferred with Musa Sanguila, director of Pakigdait Inc, an interfaith NGO which was doing civic work at Barangay Tacub. Her last stop was at the brigade headquarters where she took time to engage with my officers. And in several instances, I noticed her quietly taking notes. At one point, she turned to her fellow Kiwanians saying that Delabayan was a doable place for their initial community projects outside Iligan City.

I first met Marit when I was still the Chief of Staff of the 10th Infantry Division based in Davao City. I have noted her active participation in several civic activities, and in many occasions partnered with Army units to deliver assistance to the communities. Hence, I was then quite glad when she volunteered to extend the same assistance within my area.

Indeed, more civic projects should be directed towards the hinterlands communities—where small things can “create extraordinary life-changing moments.”

To the Kiwanis and the other NGOs, thank you all in behalf of the people here! Your civic activities and even just your plain visits to the remote communities show that we care for them. Surely, this will go a long way “to make a difference.”

Our prodigal brothers

10 MILF rebels surrender (also in Xinhuanet, Inquirer.net, Philstar.com, Pia.gov.ph, Mindanews.com, Sunstar, China Military Online) reminds me of the proverbial story of the "prodigal son."

On February 2, a group identified with the MILF's 102nd Base Command finally defected bringing their firearms to the 43rd Infantry Battalion under Lieutenant Colonel Juvymax Uy; they cited not only emotional and physical difficulties, but a realization of being deceived by their leaders.

Having returned to the folds of the law, the group now qualifies for the Social Integration Program of the government. With this development, they can now take part in contributing their energies along with the other peace-loving citizens for the betterment of our society.

This achievement of the 43rd IB in facilitating their return to the folds of the law mustered for productive use these individuals which otherwise would have been lost to a wayward group.

I then join higher headquarters in congratulating 43rdIB for a job well done. And to "our prodigal brothers," welcome back!

Meeting with Nur: nurturing peace

Journalist Ted Khan Juanite was cleared to use this posting which was then published as "Army's Col. de Leon meets MNLF Chairman Misuari - for nurturing peace" in Mindanao Scoop, Vol XLI, Iligan City, 22 February 2009, pp. 1 & 6.
















A crowd had already gathered to meet Professor Nur Misuari as I arrived at the Sanguila residence in Kauswagan town of Lanao del Norte. As this was within the area of the 104th Infantry Brigade, it was my responsibility to ensure the observance of the prescribed protocols for this gathering. Everything was in order. Musa Sanguila, his nephew, met and guided me through the guests, and informed me that Misuari awaits my arrival.

Face to face with Misuari I said, "Bapa Tuan, it's a pleasure to meet you." I then introduced myself and the officers accompanying me. The February 4 meeting was quite cordial. I took the occasion to explain the role of the military in maintaining peace in the area to allow for conflicting parties to calmly resolve the issues in a civil manner. For his part, he explained that his visit in the area are consultative in nature: to gather inputs in the pursuit of peace.

My key staff officers who were formerly with the MNLF--some of whom were his aides then--but are now with the Philippine Army through the 1996 MNLF Integration Program accompanied me to this meeting. As I presented them to him, he declared, "You can trust them." I responded, "With my life."

Satisfied that I had fulfilled my duties and sensing many are still wanting to talk to him, I requested leave. However, he insisted that I stay for a while. The ensuing discussions deepened my understanding of the man who led the MNLF separatist movement which I fought in my younger days. Surely, his thoughts clarified the issues we confront, and added an insight of how to pursue peace in this area.

As I departed amid the rains, my thoughts were occupied by that brief meeting and how we could achieve and nurture peace. Wassallam.

The profession of arms

In my recent visit of a hinterland outpost, I surveyed soldiers going about their routine tasks. I know this is a typical sight, particularly at the front, as soldiers carry out their sworn duties of protecting the country and the people. While this is expected from soldiers, the thought of their sacrifices especially being away from their families is heartrending on my part, as a father. The scene is reminiscent of the culture of soldiering as described in the 1932 “The Edge of the Sword” book by French General Charles de Gaulle:

“Men who adopt the profession of arms submit of their own free will to a law of perpetual constraint. Of their own accord they reject the right to live where they choose, to say what they think, to dress as they like. From the moment they become soldiers it needs but an order to settle them in this place, to move them to that, to separate them from their families and dislocate their normal lives. On the word of command they must rise, march, run, endure bad weather, go without sleep or food, be isolated in some distant post, work till they drop. They have ceased to be the masters of their fate. If they drop in their tracks, if their ashes are scattered to the four winds, that is all part and parcel of their job.”

As a commander, I owe an explanation to the families of our soldiers especially their children to make them understand what it means to have a parent to be in the “Profession of Arms.” Hence, I find it fitting to post below the December 2008 letter of the Commanding General of the Philippine Army addressed to the soldiers’ children. (Original version in Pilipino)

Letter to Soldiers' Children

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