Securing & touring on a bike

How do we continue performing our duties—in securing the communities—and make our tasks enjoyable especially this Lenten Season? There should be a way. As I thought of the available options on my porch, my attention strayed to the mountain bike parked beside me. Why not on a bike?

We have recently overcome the arduous and daunting route from Overton to the Brigade Headquarters in Maria Cristina, Iligan City: a 4-kilometer stretch taking an average biker, with an attitude, about 30 minutes to negotiate the steady climb to an altitude of 688 feet from sea level. The additional but longer distance to the city proper which is relatively flat should be more forgiving; more so with the rewarding sense of achievement. Of late, my staff took a keen interest in exploring the nearby communities as they mastered shifting gears of their newly acquired bikes. This is a widening fad in the Army not only to maintain physical fitness, but also help in cutting fuel costs when moving inside camps.





So this morning we rode towards the heart of Iligan City to survey the prevailing security condition. Major Efren Morados, the brigade executive officer who is an avid sportsman, took the lead. Weaving from one suburb to another, remaining inconspicuous in our biking attire and devoid of the usual military gear and firearms, we observed the building traffic and the locals emerged from their homes for their daily morning chores. Everything seemed peaceful so we checked on the sites and routes which we seldom see or pass. Friends, who learned we were around, invited us in their homes to partake a hearty breakfast and enjoy the company of their families.

Satisfied of the secure situation in the city, it was time to end our tour and head back to camp on our bikes—a challenge when hurdled is refreshing and self-assuring, as it is also fulfilling.

A fun-filled afternoon with the children

It is always refreshing and inspiring to spend time with the children, particularly when you see them happy. Their youthful innocence and zest at play has a way of reliving our younger days when we were unaffected by the larger concerns of the times.

A “Dula sa mga Bata Alang sa Kalinaw” (Games of the Children for Peace) was one activity planned to help communities, particularly the children, bring back happier days in places traumatized by the recent violence. The sponsors—Mr. Musa Sanguila, Executive Director of Pakigdait Incorporated, and Ms. Marit Stinus-Remonde, District Governor of Kiwanis International—chose Barangay Dilabayan of Kauswagan Town in Lanao del Norte as the site for this activity. Incidentally, the two sponsors took pride being among the Army awardees which came to help the brigade in its peace efforts in the area. In the recent celebration of the 112th Army Anniversary, Pakigdait, an interfaith organization, got the award, per our nomination—the second time around—as the Most Outstanding NGO; Ms. Remonde, also, received an award for helping the Army in its various civic programs.


















In the afternoon of 30 March, I addressed the children, skipping the usual lengthy amenities, saying simply that we came to have fun and play with them. The children’s response was quite ecstatic. Despite the drizzle, the event became livelier as Ms. Cristina Lomoljo sent her teams from Balay Integrated Rehabilitation for Total Human Development (BIRTHDEV) to assist in the games. Afterwards, they ate chicken “arrozcaldo.” To Musa, this was the first time the kids ate what was prepared for them; many even came back for second servings and more until nothing was left. In the previous activities, it was noted that the children did not touch the food that was brought for them due to cultural sensitivities. This time it was different, the local folks were given the raw food items and were asked to cook it themselves.

We left seeing the children happy…and we felt happier with a sense of fulfillment.

Pinning our hopes on the youth … our children

Our hopes for the future are pinned on our children. And school graduation exercises celebrate this event with the awarding of diplomas and medals proclaiming the children’s achievement. It is usually an emotionally charged affair when tears are shed—of joy, of gratitude, of pride, of hope, and perhaps ... even of despair—by the graduating students, teachers, and parents, and even by guests. The deeper significance of the occasion is that our individual and collective dreams are being passed to the youth, to the children.










I had the opportunity to again witness this thrilling celebration in the 24th Commencement Exercises of Balo-i National High School in Lanao del Norte. In a Christian-dominated class marching for graduation, about 40% of the 149 students were Muslims. Despite this, Johari M. Abubacar, a well-mannered Muslim, was the class valedictorian. He reaped a number of awards: Best in Mathematics, Best in Science, Best in Mapeh, and Best in Aral Panlipunan. I would say that he was quite good particularly as I listened to him deliver a remarkable speech from memory. This, I thought, was an excellent example of a youth upon whom we can pin our hopes for the future. But, my upbeat feeling was soon overwhelmed by a sense of despair: he may not make it to college due to financial incapacity. Later, I was comforted with the thought that the teachers and some guests were doing something to put him to school. Still, I asked myself how many of our promising youths are not accorded the chance to deliver their full potential.

Mindful of this dilemma together with my own parental responsibilities, I took my turn to deliver my message on the adopted commencement theme—“My Education: My Contribution to the Future.”

Message - My Education

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A full day

“How beautiful is the morning…”—the first line of the song usually sang in a “maňanita”—from voices entering my window, and filling my room, roused me from sleep. It was 4 in the morning of the 21st of March, a Saturday. I went out to see my officers, men and a few of their dependents who came to serenade and greet me on my birthday.

After an exchange of pleasantries over some native delicacies, I took leave to attend a workshop forum promoting interfaith dialogue and peace building hosted by the United Religions Initiative South East Asia and the Pacific (URI-SEAP) and Pakigdait Inc. in Tubod, Lanao del Norte. Entitled “Awakening the Moral Imagination for Grassroots Community Dialogue and Peacebuilding in Mindanao,” I would not like to miss it considering its importance to my duties. More so, the participants were peace builders from all over the Philippines particularly in Mindanao, and with foreign delegates from URI-SEAP.

On the way, I took the time to respond to the streaming messages and calls from my superiors, subordinates, and friends including those from my family greeting me. This continued until after the following day which started even days before. I felt helpless in responding to the messages even just with a simple “Thanks”: it was as if it is Christmas or New Year once again.

It took us almost two hours to reach the site with the many road repairs being made.

My participation in the forum gave me the chance to clarify the activities of the Army in building peace. It also gave me the chance to reach out to other participants and reconcile with those who had sad experiences with the military. Despite this, they found time to render songs on the occasion of my day. The insights and the acquaintances I gained were already invaluable gifts I could have for my birthday. Once again, I had to cut short my attendance: this time, to return to my headquarters and be with my troops who were preparing a gathering with friends.
















With no chance to change out of uniform and just in time for dinner, which I had asked that it be turned into socials for the personnel of the brigade headquarters, I led the blowing of candles along with those celebrating their birthdays for the 1st Quarter of the year. They included Captain Al Maamo, the Brigade Civil Military Relations Officer (March 20); Colonel Gerry Barrientos, the Deputy Brigade Commander (March 22); Major Efren Morados, the Brigade Executive Officer (January 17); and, 14 other enlisted personnel.

We listened to the songs of the eager media, observant guests, and the patient soldiers until the clock struck midnight. This signaled that it is now Gerry’s time to be serenaded. I went to bed exhausted but fulfilled with the activities that made my day full: with my soldiers, with the community, and with my friends. I had to recharge thinking of another full day ahead—I was to be the guest speaker in the 60th Anniversary of Lala Municipality.

Check the interesting trivia Violy had posted of the day. Thank you all for your good wishes and for a fulfilling day!

Walking, its meaning to peace

I had the chance to attend the “Panagtagbo Alang sa Kalinaw”—a meeting of multi-cultures and religions in a unity walk—a culminating activity of the month-long commemoration of peace for Lanao del Norte.














The activity was hosted by the Provincial Government of Lanao del Norte in cooperation with Pakigdait Incorporated and the Civil Society Organization of Lanao del Norte Partnership for Peace and Development (CSOLN-PPD). This was attended by various organizations from the civil society, the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines. The Rev. Canon Charles Gibbs, Executive Director of United Religions Initiative, along with Leaders of Cooperation Circles from Cambodia, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Australia, and New Zealand also participated in the event.

In this occasion, I spoke about how walking relates to peace--inspired by a deeper personal meaning. A healing process for me which is also what we may need to resolve conflict.



Message on Peace and Unity Walk

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"At your service across the land"

Senior Army commanders met for a 3-day conference to address the challenges confronting the Army. This 6th Senior Leaders Conference is part of the activities lined-up in commemoration of the 112th Anniversary of the Philippine Army.

The gathering was an excellent way to exchange notes from commanders all over the country while renewing bonds that ensure team spirit. Surely, this will go a long way for the Army to live to its motto: "at your service across the land."

My classmates, the Army Group of PMA Class of 1981, also took the occasion to pursue the same. Ten of us are each,presently, commanding an Infantry Brigade of the 31 of such units across the archipelago. The others are sure to follow. Only the best.

Partnering with the civil sector

“How do you think we are able to maximize the presence of the partners from Civil Society, Church groups, Business?” This was the central question posed when asked to share my views in a discussion with other stakeholders on the recent events in Lanao del Norte, Misamis Oriental and Bukidnon.

The forum with the theme “Learning from the Commanders”, sponsored by Balay Mindanao Foundation Incorporated, intended to help the participants gain a better understanding of the situation. It was hoped that the inputs can help in defining key strategies and the strengthening of partnerships. Colonel Nicanor Dolojan, the Commander of 403rd Infantry Brigade based in Bukidnon also came to share his views.















To my mind, it was easy to maximize partnerships between the military and the civil sector as both have common aspirations: serving the interest of the society. For one, the final goal of all military activities is “to assist in the establishment of a physically and psychologically secure environment conducive to national growth and development.” On the other hand, the civil sector has similar objectives only worded and pursued differently. An example of this would be that of Balay Mindanao which has the key words “Kaangayan, Kalambuan, Kalinaw ... sa Mindanaw, sa Pilipinas, sa Kalibutan (which can be taken as orderliness, development, peace … in Mindanao, in the Philippines, in the world) … Helping Build Empowered and Sustainable Communities in Mindanao. Helping Build Peace.”

Even as I suggested some specific approaches for the participants to pursue, I also advised all stakeholders to identify and promote common interest areas for collaboration, partnership and cooperation. I think, this is key to maximizing the presence of all stakeholders either to supplement or complement each other’s activities including that of government.

On behalf of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine Army, I then committed my full support for their activities particularly found within my organization’s area of responsibility (Lanao del Norte)—if only to deliver the best service to our people.











I have then enjoined the participants to visit me at my headquarters and pursue the discussions. I am also extending the same to other interested groups for us to exchange notes on ‘my porch’ at the 104th Infantry Brigade Headquarters in Iligan City. Coffee or tea will be served.




See also a related SunStar article “People’s participation ‘key’ to peace” by Bong Fabe.