IMPASUGONG, BUKIDNON – In call for peace, the Higaonon community of Sitio Bendum pledged to cut ties with Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) and reconcile with the government after an epochal exploitations and deceptions from CTGs at Sitio Bendum, Brgy Busdi, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon on September 30, 2022 (Friday).
Your 8th Infantry (Dependable) Battalion hosted the ritual for community healing called “Singampu Hu Butwaay” with the theme “Sa Panag Sabuwa Iyan Dalan hu Kalandang” (Unity and peace for development) in the said Sitio. A traditional IP belief that signifies the reconciliation of two or more parties involved in alarming chaos in the Indigenous People (IP) community. This also connotes FRs’ veracity in embracing peace by going back to the government and cutting ties with the CTG after a long-time exploitation and deception.
The Higaonon tribes with the FRs of Sitio Bendum headed by their tribal leaders conjointly and genuinely partook in the reconciliation activity together with BGen Royland M Orquia (Ret), Chairman, POC Malaybalay; Datu Renato Sumbongan, Indigenous People’s Mandatory Representative (IPMR) of Malaybalay; Datu Harry Sumbongan, Tribal Chieftain of Malaybalay City; Datu Cristoto Lailay Jr., IPMR, Brgy. St Peter;1Lt Jesson L Solayao, Acting Executive Officer of the 8th Infantry Battalion, and other government officials.
The activity was highlighted by signing of wall of commitment which symbolizes their sincerity in going back to the folds of the government and in breaking ties with the CTGs after being fooled and exploited for a long time.
Datu Lailay emphasized said, “Ang sundalo, supporting effort lamang apan ang solusyon sa maong problema kita maong mga lider, kita ang main effort nga kung diin dapat kita makat.on mobarug ug mo laban alang sa atong komunidad gumikan sa mga terroristang NPA. Kung ang lider dili mo barug walay mahitabong kalambuan sa komunidad, dili ta mosugot nga matagamtaman pani sa atong mga anak ang atong mga natagamtaman karon nga kalisud gumikan sa kahadlok. ” (Soldiers are only supporting effort but the solution to this problem is us as leaders, we are the main effort where we should learn to stand up and fight for our community from NPA terrorists, if leader will not stood up and be firm there wouldn’t be development in our community. We will not allow our children and grandchildren to experience the struggles we have right now due to fear).
Hon. Orquia emphasized on his message, ” Ang atong mga kasundaluhan ug ang Local Government Unit walay puas sa pagtabang aron sa pagkab.ot sa hingpit na kalinaw dinhi sa So Bendum. Kini nagpakita nga wla kamu pasagdahi sa atong gobyerno gumikan kani nga aktibidad dakong tabang para mapahingusgan ug mapahiusa ang lumolopyo batok sa pagpakgang sa mga terroristang grupo niining maong lugar. Atong tabangan ang matag usa alang sa kalambuan niining sitio. (Our army and LGU had relentlessly helping and supporting to achieve a just and lasting peace in So Bendum. This activity will surely help strengthen and reunite people from the community to reprobate terrorist groups in the area. Let us help one another to attain an inclusive and sustainable peace development in this place).
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