BY OLIVER T. BACCAY, PIA
TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan (September 17)—Some 31 Aetas in San Mariano town in Isabela have participated the training on leadership and livelihood skills initiated by the 95th Infantry Battalion (95IB) of the Army’s 5th Infantry Division (5ID).
Lt. Col. Gladiuz Calilan, 95IB commander, said the Indigenous People’s Leadership Summit with the theme “Ating mga Katutubo: Kultura ay ating Linangin at Pagyamanin” aims to capacitate the Aetas, especially on livelihood and other opportunities they can avail of from government.
“Do not be shy or afraid of asking favor from your soldier. We are equal here and we are very much ready to serve you,” Calilan urged the Aetas during the opening of the three-day training.
Col. Danilo Benavidez, 502nd brigade commander, also said the leadership summit may forge lasting peace and prosperity in the indigenous peoples (IPs) community as they lay their trust and confidence to the peacemakers.
“Kailangan nating magtulungan upang makamit ang kapayapaan sa ating lugar. At mula sa ating mga lugar, maaari nating maipakalat sa buong probinsya ng Isabela ang inaasam nating kapayapaan sa piling ng tunay na pamahalaan na nangangalaga ng karapatan ng bawat isa sa atin anuman ang ating katayuan o katungkulan sa buhay,” Benavidez said.
Marites Andana, federation president of the Agta Community, expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the soldiers for capacitating and helping them improve their way of life.
“Sila ang nagpaparamdam sa amin ng pagmamalasakit upang makamit ang mga pagbabagong ninanais naming mangyari sa aming buhay. Kaya asahan din ng mga kasundaluhan natin ang aming suporta upang labanan ang panlilinlang na ginagawa ng mga NPA sa mga katulad naming Agta.” Andana said.
Brig. Gen. Laurence Mina, 5ID commander, said the government will never turn its back on anyone who will ask for assistance and he assured the IPs that the Philippine Army is ready to serve, help and protect the community.
“Ang Indigenous People Leadership Summit ay magandang programa upang bigyan halaga ang kultura at tradisyon ng mga katutubo at ang malaking bahaging ginagampanan nila sa lipunan. Ito ay pagkilala hindi lang sa mga katutubo, kundi sa pangkalahatang lahing Pilipino.” Mina said. WITH REPORTS FROM NORIEL TAYABAN