Military exhibits: a rationale

Opening the camp to the public is a way to make the people understand and support their military. We, in the military, owe it to the people to explain what we are doing. In the first place, they have mandated our existence and have paid in taxes for our service. This rationale guided the holding of the 3-day camp exhibit culminating with the 9th Founding Anniversary celebration of the 104th Infantry (Sultan) Brigade last 26 of October.

Related posts in Mindanao Examiner’s official website and blog entitled “Philippine Army Winning the Hearts and Minds in Mindanao.” Also, in PIA Website (by Breezy Jimenez): "Makamandag battalion maintains peace, order stance."













The camp exhibits showcased the brigade’s role, its capabilities, and accomplishments in pictures. The combat units under the brigade, the Philippine National Police, and the US military in the area joined the exhibits. Also, commercial outlets, and other institutions together with the Provincial Government of Lanao del Norte and the City Government of Iligan erected their stalls to promote tourism and their local products. At that time, the visitors freely interacted with the soldiers, took pictures, and even handled the available military hardware. The various weapons on display and the armored vehicles were the all-time crowd drawers.

Group tours, particularly for visiting schools and other entities, were guided by soldiers and local volunteer Tourism Students on practicum. Consistent with the brigade’s Muslim-inspired moniker as “Sultan,” the camp grounds were elaborately decorated with colorful Maranao traditional flags such as the “sambulayan” and “pasandalan.” Martial march music and the sound of the “kulintang” accented the festive spirit. The last day even featured the world-acclaimed Kalimulan Dance Troupe of the Mindanao State University (MSU-IIT) performing cultural dances.

The camp exhibit—hailed to be the first time ever, in the area—attracted 4,270 curious visitors on record coming from the various sectors even as far as beyond the brigade area of responsibility. Considering the turnout of guests, mostly students, similar exhibits will be held in more publicly accessible places as in schools.

Sultan Troopers Journal--out!

On the occasion of the brigade's 9th Foundation Anniversary on 26 October, we have published the maiden issue of the Sultan Troopers' Journal--the e-copy is included in this post.

Compared with other military publications, I daresay that this issue attempts to make the articles more understandable to the ordinary civilians. More importantly, it aims to contribute in making the military's existence more meaningful and relevant to the community.

Towards this end, we would appreciate your comments.

Sultan Troopers Journal (Maiden Issue)

A friendly visit

It was a warm sunny day when Sarangani Governor Miguel Rene “Migz” A. Dominguez finally came to see us in Lanao del Norte. He has long wanted to visit since I was transferred out of his province for a posting in Lanao in August 2008, but the prevailing unpeace prevented him to do so.

His Province of Sarangani, a coastal region of south-central Mindanao, has a population of about half a million with an area of 4,442 square kilometers. Interestingly, its demography and topography is closely similar to that of Lanao del Norte. Also, both provinces suffered from armed violence and social dislocation last year for similar reasons.

Seating in a discussion, Migz, an AFP reservist officer, quickly grasped the key points of the prepared situation briefing despite the military jargon. He shared his thoughts and experiences on the role of the military in the de-escalation of violence and in protecting the communities. He also took pride of the good performance of the military in his province even as he congratulated the 104th Infantry Brigade officers and personnel for its fine performance.



Later, we took him to relish the famous Maria Cristina Falls which he intimated was his first time. Then the youthful governor paid his courtesies to the youngest provincial governor in the country—Lanao del Norte Governor Mohamad Khalid Dimaporo.

Governor Migz may have enjoyed this trip and may have found it worthwhile, but 104th Infantry Brigade was certainly more honored by this friendly visit. My best to the people of Sarangani.

An hour with a lawmaker

How do lawmakers make time to attend to their personal aspirations and commitments despite their already demanding professional obligations particularly in representing their constituents in the formulation of laws?

Perhaps, the visit of Congressman Rozzano Rufino “Ruffy” Biazon to the 104th Infantry Brigade Headquarters gives a peek at how lawmakers use their time and weave through their hectic schedules.

Congressman Biazon of Muntinlupa City came for a visit in Iligan City to grace a social event. He also took the occasion for exchanges with the locals and the city mayor. In that same day of 16 May, he allotted an hour to visit the brigade headquarters as the Senior Vice Chairman of the Committee on National Defense and Security, Committee on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity, and Committee on Veterans Affairs and Welfare and the Committee on Appropriations.



Accompanied by his wife and his staff, the congressman surveyed the camp with a sense of nostalgia. He revealed having spent his younger years in this area when his father, now Senator Rodolfo Biazon, was earlier posted as a Philippine Marine Officer. He then walked over to the assembled soldiers taking a moment to talk of relevant legislative developments. He was applauded by the troops when he announced the forthcoming salary adjustments to take effect by July of this year. He also informed them of proposed bills to raise combat pay as well as quarter’s allowances of the uniformed services.

He then proceeded to listen to a security situation briefing covering Lanao del Norte; asked questions and took notes which he explained would aid him in his work in Congress. After which, he congratulated the brigade and the troops for restoring the peaceful conditions in the province and in helping build a favorable image of the AFP to the people in the area.

Taking just about an hour with the brigade, the lawmaker was again on his way to his next appointment, but not without seeing Maria Cristina Falls first. Wistfully, he would say it had been awhile since he last saw it. He was pleased to receive news of a group of retired Philippine Marines—who earlier served his father—awaiting his arrival at the entrance to the famous waterfalls.

The visit of Congressman Biazon may be considered short, yet, every moment he spent was worth the while: for him and for those that he honored with his presence.

Welcoming our prodigal brothers

Reminiscent of the story of the “prodigal son,” this time to our Filipino brothers, I along with my division commander and the provincial governor received the group of Mabaning Andamun Lucsadato.

Mabaning, known as either Benjie or Protector—the highest ranking commander of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) who has so far defected to the government— is the commander of the 101st Brigade of the former Camp Bilal Base Command of the MILF Northern Mindanao Front. His group served as guards of the former the camp’s complex covering the towns of Munai and Poona Piagapo in Lanao del North and further south in Piagapo and Madalum in Lanao del Sur.

His forces, while not under the control of Abdullah Macapaar alias Bravo, have given support—security, manpower, and supplies—to the MILF activities in the area. Bravo’s group has been outlawed and is being sought after for attacking the towns of Kauswagan and Kolambugan in Lanao del Norte in August 2008, killing 26 people and burning several houses.

See related articles at Philippine Army Website, Inquirer.Net, Journal Online, Business Mirror, ManilaTimes, PIA, and AFP Website (PDF).

Benjie came to me about a week ago saying he and his group wanted to lay down their firearms and return to our fold. He said he was tired of fighting and always on the run. He wanted to go back to his family whom he had neglected for being a leader of the MILF. I welcomed his intentions, telling him it was an honorable thing to do.






I told him that he and his men are better off joining the government to pursue more productive activities for their own families and their respective communities instead of wasting their time and energies in a shooting war with government forces—even as the lives of their families and the ordinary civilians have been caught in between. Their return will surely go a long way in reducing the threat posed by the outlaws in the area, hasten a climate of peace, and help build better communities in the province.

The decision of Benjie and his group to return is a victory on their part as well as of their families as they made a bold but beneficial move to help our society. We, in the military also share this achievement since this is in pursuit of the priorities set by the 1st Division Commander, Major General Romeo Lustestica, in upholding the peace process while taking punitive as well as restrictive measures against the lawless group of the MILF. Similarly, this is surely a welcome occasion by our local government executives with no less than the governor strongly promoting the establishment of a secure and peaceful condition so progress and development can take place in Lanao del Norte.




Perhaps, it is either by coincidence or by deliberate hostile action that the nearby Agus Bridge was blasted few hours before their formal welcome. Despite this, the ceremony—in the presence of their families whom we have invited—pushed through with their presentation to the public and the symbolic acceptance of the group by the Commander of the 1st Infantry Division of the Philippine Army; subsequently, they were turned over to our political leader, the Governor of Lanao del Norte—Honorable Mohamad Khalid Dimaporo—who administered their oath of allegiance to the Republic of the Philippines to indicate their return to our society.

On their own, the former rebels shed their MILF uniforms and burned them.

Welcome back to the fold.