Peace: for our sake and the future

“Kita, karong henerasyon, maoy bug-at ang tahas nga masiguro ang atong mga anak ug sa mga mosunod pa, nga maayo ug malinaw ang katilingban” (We, the present generation, have the heavy responsibility of ensuring that our children and the ones to come are prepared with a better and a peaceful society for them to live in).

The children among the crowd delighted in the opening statement of Col Benito de Leon, the commander of 104^th Brigade, who delivered in broken Visayan dialect his peace message during the “Hudyaka sa Kalinaw” (Peace Celebration) at Iligan Public Plaza last Wednesday evening. This celebration, the last day of the Mindanao Week of Peace for the year called for by Presidential Proclamation No. 127 of 2001, was organized by the Lanao Educational Arts for Development (LEAD). The Civil Society Organization Forum for Peace (CSOFP), with Jane Bernardo as President, supported the activity.

The “Hudyaka,” from afternoon through the night of December 3, started with interfaith Christian-Muslim-Higaunon prayers followed by Maranao and Higaunon cultural presentations of dances and songs. With the theme “Duyog Mindanaw: pandayon ta ang kalinaw “ (Together Mindanao:  let’s repair or construct peace), speakers shared their views how to achieve peace.

The lone military speaker echoed the theme of the Bishop Ulama Conference (BUC) for the week-long celebration to attain peace. “Integrity of Heart and Mind” as the road to reconciliation and peace, de Leon says, would also include “keeping our passions within due bounds.”  With emphasis he closed, “ang hagit sa pagpanday niining kalinaw kinahanglan nato atubangon sa karon para sa atong tanan ug sa musonod pang henerasyon” (we have to face the challenge to repair or construct peace now for our sakes and the future generations).

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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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

Army Sultan allays fears of Muslims

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Iligan City (27 October). “Your military will always give high priority in ensuring the protection of the Filipino citizens whether they be Christians, Muslims, Lumads, or otherwise,” emphasized Col Benito T de Leon, Commander of 104^th Infantry (Sultan) Brigade, 1^st Infantry Division of the Philippine Army.

Col. de Leon guested today in an interfaith dialogue wearing a Maranao cap given him after he was conferred the honorary title of “Sultan a Romapunut” (Leader of Peace) in Lumbayanague, Lanao del Sur during the MILF hostilities of 2000. The forum was sponsored by Pakigdait Inc, a civil society organization, attended by Traditional and Religious leaders and held at Iligan City. Rev. Fr. Regino R. Quijano is the Chairperson for Pakigdait while Mr. Musa M. Sanguila is the Chairperson of Civil Society Organization of Lanao del Norte Partnership for Peace and Development: both were also present.

The military officer’s statement was in reply to the questions to clarify issues concerning the safety of the people particularly of Muslims communities with the on-going operations to track Macapaar aka Bravo. Bravo was held responsible for the August 18 atrocities in Kolambugan and Kauswagan towns of Lanao del Norte.

Aside from presenting a generally peaceful situation, de Leon further explained that his brigade is at the same time assisting local government agencies, non-government organizations, civil society organizations, and religious organizations which had come to help hasten the return of peaceful conditions in Lanao del Norte. He lauded the efforts of Pakigdait for spearheading the coordination in the return of 63 displaced families to their homes in Paiton, Kauswagan.

“Even as we pursue the lawless groups, we shall strictly abide by the instructions of minimizing collateral damage and in upholding the rights of the people as guaranteed in our Constitution,” de Leon said.

Army Sultan Commander Assumes

Iligan City (9 September). COL BENITO T DE LEON INF (GSC) PA, who holds an honorary Maranao title of Sultan a Romapunot (Peacemaker), assumed the post of BGEN ANTONIO I SUPNET AFP today as Commander, 104th Infantry (Sultan) Brigade of the 1st Infantry (Tabak) Division, Philippine Army, charged of Lanao del Norte.

The changes in position were approved by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo last 30 July 2008. But, its implementation were delayed to ensure smooth transition in the military organization. Col de Leon relinquished his former unit, the Joint Task Force GENSAN, protecting General Santos City only last 18 August, the same day that rogue elements of the MILF pillaged the coastal towns of Kauswagan and Kolambugan of Lanao del Norte. Upon arrival at 104th Brigade, the following day, de Leon shortly served as the Deputy Commander of Gen Supnet until the formal change of command. Supnet is subsequently to assume as the Assistant Division Commander of the 7th Infantry Division in Luzon.  

Col de Leon, who now is in his third tour of duty in the Lanao Provinces, earned the title of a Sultan in Lumbayanague, Lanao del Sur for his peace efforts during the 2000 MILF hostilities. He admits being overwhelmed by the challenge of the new position as the brigade is now tasked to pursue the Lawless MILF Group in Lanao del Norte. Nonetheless, he adds, "I am extremely pleased to serve the people here once again and contribute in the pursuit of peace and stability that would further hasten development in the Province of Lanao del Norte."

As he promised to commit himself to the mission and take care of his troops, he issued to them the following instructions in his address: 

• First, focus and put to bear all your energies and resources to neutralize the soonest the Lawless MILF Group that have threatened the peace in Lanao del Norte;
  
• Second, enhance linkages with our counterparts in all sectors to generate support in best attaining our mission;
  
• Third, support the thrusts of local government executives which are intended to further benefit the people we serve;
  
• And lastly, in all your undertakings uphold and protect the rights of the citizenry as enshrined in our Constitution by following the AFP Rules of Engagement, Human Rights, and the International Humanitarian Law.
  

The new commander finally called on his men and all sectors "not only to assist in securing peace and development in our time, for our sakes and our children, but in building a better future for the coming generations."

104th Brigade is now composed of 4 Infantry Battalions, aside from its other combat and support complement, from the original 2 battalions to hunt down the rogue MILF elements: 10th Infantry Battalion under LTC JOHN JURADO; 32IB, LTC EDWIN RESPECIO; 35IB, LTC JOSE FAUSTINO; and, 43IB of the 8th Infantry Division augmented from the Visayas led by LTC JUVYMAX UY.

The change of command ceremony was presided by MGEN NEHEMIAS G PAJARITO, Commander of the 1st Infantry Division. Witnessing the occasion were the following: LTGEN NELSON B ALLAGA, the Commander of Western Mindanao Command (WESTMINCOM); BGEN HILARIO A ATENDIDO, the Assistant 1st Division Commander for Operations, and Commander of the recently deactivated Task Force Tabak responsible for the Lanao Provinces; COL REY ARDO, Commander of 103rd Infantry (Haribon) Brigade, whose area is Lanao Sur, a classmate of de Leon in the Philippine Military Academy batch of 1981; other senior officers, enlisted personnel, local political leaders, and guests.

View Assumption Remarks

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