A happy and peaceful Easter

After riding on our bikes and surveying the surroundings, I went to join my men on the beach. I have earlier approved the “beach party,” in observance of the customary affair of families to cool-off from the summer heat, timed with the celebration of Easter. While traveling, I saw traffic building up—all heading for the beach—a common scene throughout the country at the end of the Holy Week.







The beach was indeed full of people. I enjoyed seeing them especially the children playing either with the sand or on the waves. For my troops, it seemed that my presence alone already made them happy. So I joined them on their tables for banter with their families posing for photo shots with them. Noting a number of children, we paid on wholesale the contents of a passing local ice cream cart—to the delight of the vendor. However, the children were more thrilled as they ganged up for their free share. Later, we feasted on the potlucks prepared by the soldiers and their families.

I left them to enjoy a dip in the tempting sea and to give them more time with their families and friends. From there, I checked on the nearby resorts and found all these to be also packed with people. I was happy with the thought that the locals now find time to enjoy the peace and quiet of the day with their loved ones. I mused at how this peaceful condition came about: by those who courageously faced the perceived uncertain situation; by those who exerted all efforts to ensure the peace; and by the security forces, including the soldiers, who stood on guard and patrolled the countryside to protect the communities.

May the meaning of this day give us more vigor to renew our pursuit for peace in the land. Happy Easter Sunday to all.

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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35IB passes the torch of command

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Humane side of the uniform

Here is an interesting post by Violeta Gloria entitled Dining with a Colonel providing a civilian-writer's insight of the "man in uniform." The article reveals the hidden and human side of a soldier rarely exposed to the public. At the same time, it shows the critical and observant eye of a true journalist.

NGO asked to help IDPs

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PA Website: Army appeals to a micro-financing organization to help IDPs in Mindanao

Iligan City (30 November). An army commander had asked the Serviamus Foundation Inc to also help the internally displaced persons (IDPs), particularly the Muslims, as a result of the August 18 atrocities in Lanao del Norte.

The appeal was directed to Serviamus Foundation, a Non-Government Organization (NGO), by 104^th Army Brigade Commander Col Benito de Leon in addressing a crowd of about 3,000 members gathered for its 11^th General Assembly at the MSU-IIT Gym. The mission of the micro-financing organization is to “uplift and strengthen the socio-economic condition of the poor households in Mindanao towards total human transformation through a quality innovative financial and other development services.” The assembly highlighted the various local products from the Small Enterprise Development Program Project. Bishop Elenito Galido of the Diocese of Iligan and Norma Gejon is the President and Executive Director of the Foundation, respectively.

Col de Leon said in his speech that his soldiers are now also much involved in the return, resettlement, and reintegration of the IDPs in the province consistent with the International Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement as well as the implementing instructions of government leaders. He noted, however, that many of the IDPs have lost the drive and the capacity to recover economically. He thus suggested a similar Small Enterprise Development Program be made by Serviamus to also benefit the IDPs.

“In being able to also extend your service to the IDPs, especially to the Muslims, this Foundation would have demonstrated firmly its full transformation from being church-based into a true NGO,” he challenged.

Soldiers repaint defaced mosque in Lanao Norte

by Violeta M. Gloria/MindaNews

Sexual abuses forbidden even in war—military

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Also in Philippine Army Website

Also in AFP Website

Iligan City (25 November). “Sexual violence is outlawed in the Armed Forces of the Philippines even in times of war or armed conflict.”

This was the message of Col Benito de Leon, Commander of 104^th Infantry Brigade, speaking during the “Observance of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women” held in the city by the Gender Equality Network for Peace (GEN4PEACE) in cooperation with the Civil Society Organization (CSO) Forum for Peace and the British Embassy. The activity was organized in consonance with UN Security Council Resolution No. 1820 covering the issues on rape and sexual violence in conflict situations. Adopting the theme “Women, Peace, and Security: Issues of Rape and other Forms of Sexual Abuse in Times of War,” the consultation was attended by the delegates from the 13 NGO-member groups of the CSO Forum with its President Jane Bernardo, and participated in by the military and police. Ms Anita Sescon, the Commissioner of the Mindanao Commission on Women Forum provided the inputs for the UN Resolution. On the other hand, Atty Florante Ursua of the Commission on Human Rights spoke on the responsibility of the government to prevent human rights violations.

In responding to concerns that women have been portrayed as a booty of war and that the incidence of sexual molestations were high during times of armed conflicts, Col de Leon explained that the notion of war booties were things of the past long gone by. As societies became more civil, laws and norms were adopted to forbid this practice, he adds. Further, he says, the military aside from the existing criminal laws enforces the punitive Articles of War governing the conduct of military personnel. Furthermore, the officer clarified that other measures are in place to ensure that members of the military observe the prohibitions as provided in our legal system including the adoption of the AFP Code of Ethics outlining the professional conduct, the inclusion of all these as discussion points in military education courses, and the regular conduct of troop information. Accordingly, commanders at all levels have to see that these are all observed and enforced.

“All abuses or violations of the law, including rape or violence on women, committed by any military personnel at any given time especially during times of conflict will not be tolerated by the AFP,” the army commander underscored.

Caught conferring with US troops

Shows in picture the Brigade Commander of 104th with US elements.

We are duty-bound to uphold the constitution--Col. de Leon

Read in Philippine Information Agency

Delivering a Commitment

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