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)
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Brigade exhibit invitation
In connection with the 9th Founding Anniversary of the 104th Infantry (Sultan) Brigade on 26 October 2009, an exhibit within camp premises will be open to the public from 24 to 26 October. Please check the invitation below.
9th Anniversary Exhibit
9th Anniversary Exhibit
Saturday, August 1, 2009
The land … of bounty
Lanao del Norte—the land of beauty and bounty—continues to showcase its plentiful resource amid festivities. This was seen in today’s 61st anniversary celebration of Araw ng Baloi with the theme “Unity, Peace and Progress is the Collective Effort of the Government and the People.” Mayor Hanifa Ali took pride in ushering guests to the several booths displaying the town’s abundant agriculture produce.
Related article: 61st Araw ng Balo-I depicts unity, peace, progress
(PIA website by Breezy C. Jimenez)
It was just amazing to see the plentiful fruits and agriculture crops in this town, but it was also frustrating to think why I and even many others have not known this all along. Interestingly, I even learned now that there are several varieties of bananas organically grown and found only in the area; “amas”, a sugar-sweet, tiny banana (about 3 inches long) became easily my favorite. It was also here that I tasted a different kind of the exotic tropical durian fruit: I daresay, it is the best of its kind I have savored in all of Southeast Asia. Perhaps, the fertile soil and the cool climate stimulated the conditions for abundance, and variety of tasty fruits and crops in the area.
With these impressions, I then joined the guest speaker, former Provincial Governor Imelda Dimaporo accompanied by spouse Congressman Abdullah Dimaporo, in congratulating the local executives and the people for their achievement in maintaining peace and abundance in the town.
As we laud the community for their success, more effort should be made to help promote their agricultural produce so that many can share in the bounty of their land and for the economic benefit of the local folks as well.
Related article: 61st Araw ng Balo-I depicts unity, peace, progress
(PIA website by Breezy C. Jimenez)
It was just amazing to see the plentiful fruits and agriculture crops in this town, but it was also frustrating to think why I and even many others have not known this all along. Interestingly, I even learned now that there are several varieties of bananas organically grown and found only in the area; “amas”, a sugar-sweet, tiny banana (about 3 inches long) became easily my favorite. It was also here that I tasted a different kind of the exotic tropical durian fruit: I daresay, it is the best of its kind I have savored in all of Southeast Asia. Perhaps, the fertile soil and the cool climate stimulated the conditions for abundance, and variety of tasty fruits and crops in the area.
With these impressions, I then joined the guest speaker, former Provincial Governor Imelda Dimaporo accompanied by spouse Congressman Abdullah Dimaporo, in congratulating the local executives and the people for their achievement in maintaining peace and abundance in the town.
As we laud the community for their success, more effort should be made to help promote their agricultural produce so that many can share in the bounty of their land and for the economic benefit of the local folks as well.
Monday, July 27, 2009
WESMINCOM accents CMO approach
Along with the change of leadership is the anticipated adjustment or variation in the way of doing things. The Western Mindanao Command (WESMINCOM) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) based in Zamboanga City had such a change last on 16 July 2009 with the retirement of Lt. Gen. Nelson Allaga and the assumption of Maj. Gen. Benjamin Mohammad Dolorfino, the commandant of the Philippine Marine Corps.
General Dolorfino, as the new commander of WESMINCOM, was expected to inspect his units deployed in the Lanao Provinces, Zamboanga Peninsula including those in the island provinces of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi. While he is familiar with the Lanao situation having earlier commanded a Marine Brigade then deployed here, he still needed to visit the area to project his command presence to the troops.
This morning, General Dolorfino did come to my brigade to personally explain his concept of command which is summarized in his vision for WESMINCOM: “a people-oriented and professional military command deeply committed to the promotion of peace, progress and development through multi-stakeholders dialogue, partnership and collaboration.” To ensure this is understood and carried out by the troops, he took great lengths to elaborate what he meant as “people-oriented” and “professional military” which he considers as the two pillars for soldiers to stand on; he stressed that peace and progress will be the ultimate purpose of all military efforts.
Hence, he says, there will be a paradigm shift in the conduct of Internal Security Operation (ISO) at WESMINCOM aspiring for a mix of 20 percent combat operations and 80 percent civil-military operations (CMO). This will involve pursuing six lines of activities that is now heavier on the latter:
• Military operations to promote peace & order
• CMO to facilitate good governance
• CMO to promote socio-economic reform
• CMO to promote cultural cohesiveness and harmony
• CMO to promote good environmental management
• CMO to promote good public information
The new WESMINCOM commander was happy to note that 104th Infantry Brigade has already been doing all these, if not weighing more on CMO—in conformity with his concept of command. Nonetheless, whatever mix it shall be, we will not err if we keep in mind the welfare of those—our people—we have sworn to serve.
General Dolorfino, as the new commander of WESMINCOM, was expected to inspect his units deployed in the Lanao Provinces, Zamboanga Peninsula including those in the island provinces of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi. While he is familiar with the Lanao situation having earlier commanded a Marine Brigade then deployed here, he still needed to visit the area to project his command presence to the troops.
This morning, General Dolorfino did come to my brigade to personally explain his concept of command which is summarized in his vision for WESMINCOM: “a people-oriented and professional military command deeply committed to the promotion of peace, progress and development through multi-stakeholders dialogue, partnership and collaboration.” To ensure this is understood and carried out by the troops, he took great lengths to elaborate what he meant as “people-oriented” and “professional military” which he considers as the two pillars for soldiers to stand on; he stressed that peace and progress will be the ultimate purpose of all military efforts.
Hence, he says, there will be a paradigm shift in the conduct of Internal Security Operation (ISO) at WESMINCOM aspiring for a mix of 20 percent combat operations and 80 percent civil-military operations (CMO). This will involve pursuing six lines of activities that is now heavier on the latter:
• Military operations to promote peace & order
• CMO to facilitate good governance
• CMO to promote socio-economic reform
• CMO to promote cultural cohesiveness and harmony
• CMO to promote good environmental management
• CMO to promote good public information
The new WESMINCOM commander was happy to note that 104th Infantry Brigade has already been doing all these, if not weighing more on CMO—in conformity with his concept of command. Nonetheless, whatever mix it shall be, we will not err if we keep in mind the welfare of those—our people—we have sworn to serve.
Friday, July 17, 2009
An anniversary of golden optimism
In keeping with the provincial title as the “Land of Beauty and Bounty,” and fitting to a golden anniversary associated with optimism and wealth, Lanao del Norte have shown all these marks during its 50th Founding Anniversary celebration.
Despite the disturbing memories of the August 2008 atrocity on the towns of Kolambugan and Kauswagan and the lingering threat of violence in the area, Governor Mohamad Khalid Dimaporo remained unfazed and more determined to make the celebration truly festive. He has maintained that his responsibility is to promote the image of the province; make it attractive to tourists and investors. Understandably as these approaches are the keys to economic prosperity. And so, all over the province were striking banners —“LDN 50 Anyos Na, Panaghiusa, Kalinaw ug Kalambuan Ipadayun Ta”—calling for everybody to pursue unity, peace and progress. Matching activities were then set to portray and promote the stability and growth of the province, regionally if not nationally.
Festivities started officially on 24 June in the southern and coastal town of Sultan Naga Dimaporo with a grand fluvial parade evoking the rich cultural pomp of the Moros. The colorful vintas were made more dramatic by the rhythm of the Maranao kulintangs. From these boats alighted the local participants to the beauty pageant like sirens from the sea. The days were filled with merriment including a concert by Bamboo, the most popular rock band in the country; and The Singing Bee Contest, a popular TV singing competition hosted by actor Cesar Montano. While the Manila-based entertainers have amused the local folks, they intimated to have also learned the beauty of the place and corrected the negative impressions they have previously held. Agricultural and livestock produce were also showcased as well as their rich culture during the 10-day celebration. The last night even featured a 30-minute fireworks display, considered as the most fabulous ever in the province. The perceptive governor was kind enough to even offer the spectacle as a gift to my wife and son who were around and incidentally celebrating their birthdays.
The Culmination Day, July 4, held at the capital town of Tubod brought the DND Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Jr as the guest speaker considering the role of his department in the attainment of peace. He expressed amazement and admiration in the speedy recovery of the province from the recent atrocities; he lauded the people especially the provincial governor for their optimism and achievement—an acknowledgement that the attitude of leaders and its people would remain to be crucial in charting their future directions.
See related article: Teodoro welcomes back 130 MILF combatants (SunStar) & Teodoro says ‘open-door’ policy will continue (Manila Bulletin by Elena L. Aben)
Despite the disturbing memories of the August 2008 atrocity on the towns of Kolambugan and Kauswagan and the lingering threat of violence in the area, Governor Mohamad Khalid Dimaporo remained unfazed and more determined to make the celebration truly festive. He has maintained that his responsibility is to promote the image of the province; make it attractive to tourists and investors. Understandably as these approaches are the keys to economic prosperity. And so, all over the province were striking banners —“LDN 50 Anyos Na, Panaghiusa, Kalinaw ug Kalambuan Ipadayun Ta”—calling for everybody to pursue unity, peace and progress. Matching activities were then set to portray and promote the stability and growth of the province, regionally if not nationally.
Festivities started officially on 24 June in the southern and coastal town of Sultan Naga Dimaporo with a grand fluvial parade evoking the rich cultural pomp of the Moros. The colorful vintas were made more dramatic by the rhythm of the Maranao kulintangs. From these boats alighted the local participants to the beauty pageant like sirens from the sea. The days were filled with merriment including a concert by Bamboo, the most popular rock band in the country; and The Singing Bee Contest, a popular TV singing competition hosted by actor Cesar Montano. While the Manila-based entertainers have amused the local folks, they intimated to have also learned the beauty of the place and corrected the negative impressions they have previously held. Agricultural and livestock produce were also showcased as well as their rich culture during the 10-day celebration. The last night even featured a 30-minute fireworks display, considered as the most fabulous ever in the province. The perceptive governor was kind enough to even offer the spectacle as a gift to my wife and son who were around and incidentally celebrating their birthdays.
The Culmination Day, July 4, held at the capital town of Tubod brought the DND Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Jr as the guest speaker considering the role of his department in the attainment of peace. He expressed amazement and admiration in the speedy recovery of the province from the recent atrocities; he lauded the people especially the provincial governor for their optimism and achievement—an acknowledgement that the attitude of leaders and its people would remain to be crucial in charting their future directions.
See related article: Teodoro welcomes back 130 MILF combatants (SunStar) & Teodoro says ‘open-door’ policy will continue (Manila Bulletin by Elena L. Aben)
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Mighty Cave: ushering progress?
Driving a vehicle for 45 minutes towards the east of Iligan City, following a concrete and climbing road, brings you to the adjacent Municipality of Tagoloan. Up here, in the cooler mountain areas of the Province of Lanao del Norte, we can find the recently opened Mighty Cave Park.
The inauguration of this park was the highlight of the 40th Araw ng Tagoloan last 21 June. Speaking during the occasion, with the theme “Tagoloan Geared Towards Eco-tourism,” Mayor Maminta Dimakuta and Governor Mohamad Khalid Dimaporo highlighted the social and economic prospects in promoting the cave as a tourist attraction. The audience was amused as other speakers took turn proposing interesting ploys to attract visitors. I further thrilled the crowd when I added the suggestion of promoting the waters from the cave as a love potion.
Expectedly then, on my exit of the cave, the people cheered as I acted to have downed all the contents of my bottled water—though it was the same water I had with me before entering. Amid the festive atmosphere, I was amazed how the town became populous: it was sparsely so in the early 1980s when, as a young army lieutenant, I patrolled this hinterland municipality.
Even as I share in the enthusiasm to promote the nature park to usher opportunities for progress in the area, I am equally bothered in the preparedness of authorities to cope with the environmental consequences. During the tour of the cave, curious visitors and their guides alike—unaware of conservation measures—liberally touched the cave walls further endangering its fragile and already disturbed condition.
Eco-tourism, like in other countries, can offer us great opportunities for socio-economic benefits, but this cannot long endure if we don’t take serious responsibility to value and protect the natural site we promote as an attraction.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
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.
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