ACCEPTANCE CEREMONY OF FORMER MILF REBELS

Message of Major General Romeo D. Lustestica AFPCommander of 1st Infantry (Tabak) Division, Philippine Army

in Salvador, Lanao del Norte on 161000 May 2009

Isang mapagpalang umaga sa ating lahat!

It is with genuine pride that I, in behalf of the First Infantry(TABAK) Division, convey my being one with everybody in our collective search for genuine peace and development especiallyhere in this part of Mindanao.

Ang araw na ito ay lubhang napakahalaga sapagkat atingbibigyang pugay ang desisyon ng ilan nating kapatid namamuhay ng mapayapa sa poder ng ating pamahalaan.

Ito ay isang dakilang tagumpay para sa mga adhikain ng bawatisa sa atin tungo sa pangmatagalang kapayapaan dito sabahaging ito ng Mindanao. Patunay ito ng pagkakaisa atkooperasyon ng lahat ng sector ng lipunan, maging sibilyan mano military, sa pagiging bukas at handang tanggapin ang atingmga kapatid na humiwalay ng landas pabalik sa poder ng atingpamahalaan.

Ito ay isa ring mahalagang pagpapa-alala na ang bawat isa saatin ay may kaukulang tungkuling dapat gampanan upangbantayan ang demokrasyang ating tinatamasa.

Indeed, the example set by Commander Kayamura Mangilalaand his followers manifest their desire to live compassionatelywith a mindset of peace.

We are deeply aware that through the noble action they haveundertaken, for as long as they did it with high hopes andsincerity, will eventually result to tangible gains for our Mindanaoan brothers and for every Filipino.

At dahil dito, tayong lahat ay lubos na umaasa na sa daratingpang mga araw, ang marangal na desisyon na kanilangginagawa ay magsisilbing halimbawa upang mamulat ang ating

 

mga kapatid na patuloy na naninindigan sa aramado atmadugong pakikibaka.

We at the TABAK Division uphold peace as our primaryobjective. As we perform our responsibility in safeguarding our nation’s security, We likewise engage in active dialogue andcooperation to all stakeholders—for we believe peace iseveryone’s business, not just the government’s.

We understand that peace is a pre-condition we need to achievebefore the people can feel the palpable impact of economic andsocial progress. Needless to say, this momentous gathering is avery good avenue for different ideas and suggestions to further preserve our gains as far as peace-building is concerned.

And like the rest of you, we have strongly committed ourselvesto work hand in hand with different organizations—be it withother government agencies, the civil society, religious andbusiness sectors—to build bridges of understanding andconfidence.

As an institution of our democratic republic, we consider itessential to interact and engage with the community. Thecommunity’s involvement is an indispensable aspect of peace-building; for we understand that genuine peace can only beachieved through consensus and consultation among allstakeholders. Thus, we are privileged to take part in gatheringslike the one we have today.

Our presence here reflects our recognition of the importance of civil society and efforts to promote collective welfare, securityand lasting peace in Mindanao and elsewhere in thearchipelago.

And I’m truly even grateful that the provincial government of Lanao del Norte under the able leadership of Governor KhalidDimaporo is one of our strongest partners in this respect.

 

This activity clearly testifies to the success of how the religious,police, military, and local government sectors can work together in the common pursuit of peace and sustainable development.

Having said all these, we at the TABAK Division, reiterate our commitment to lasting peace and development most especiallyin areas of urgent need. Be assured that you can continue tocount on us in our common goal in achieving lasting peace andsustainable development in this part of the region.

Gawin nating modelo si kapatid na Kayamura Mangilala atkanyang mga kasamahan upang mahikayat pa natin pabalik sapoder ng gobyerno ang iba pa nating kapatid na patuloy nananiniwala sa armado at madugong pakikibaka.

Bigyan natin sila at kanilang mga pamilya ng puwang sa atinglipunan upang makamtan nila ang mapayapang pamumuhay sailalim ng demokrasyang ating tinatamasa.

With that, in behalf of my command, the First Infantry (TABAK)Division, I would like to express once again my profoundgratitude to the local government Lanao del Norte. I stronglypray that our initiative will continue to serve as an avenue toenrich our peace-building pursuits in the days to come.

Nawa’y maghari ang kapayapaan sa buong Mindanao.Maraming salamat.