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.

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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