A Tribute for our Heroes

By LtC. MANUEL FELINO V. RAMOS, GSC (CAV) PA
December 3, 2005

CAMP LUKBAN, Catbalogan, Samar – In celebration of the Andres Bonifacio Day, the 8th Infantry (Storm Troopers) Division, Philippine Army commemorated the heroism and indomitable spirit of the Filipino heroes. November 30, 2005, marks a significant date in the history of the Province of Samar as the Provincial Peace and Development Forum was conducted here at the Camp Lukban grandstand with the theme “Patriotism for Peace and Progress”. Among the special guests who graced the occasion were Secretary Norberto Gonzales, National Security Adviser, Honorable Governor Milagrosa Tan and the Municipal Mayors of Samar Province, along with the Most Reverend Jose Palma, Bishop of the Diocese of Calbayog. An estimated 8,000 delegates from the Barangays of the different Municipalities of Samar participated in this momentous occasion.

Wreath Laying

The symbolic day started with a Wreath Laying Ceremony which immediately followed upon the arrival of the invited guests and visitors at 8ID Heroes Memorial. A solemn ceremony of the Armed Forces of the Philippines to honor the fallen heroes, this activity gave special honor to both officers and enlisted personnel of the 8th Infantry Division who sacrificed their lives in service to the people and in the preservation of peace and democracy of the country. Secretary Norberto Gonzales and Gov Tan led the wreath laying ceremony. A fitting recognition for the unsung heroes for their unselfish service, heroism and indomitable spirit that serve as a guiding light to all Filipinos in the quest for a peaceful and progressive country.

Field Mass

The “Mass for Peace” was officiated by Bishop Jose Palma of the Diocese of Calbayog. In his homily the good Bishop thanked the Lord for His blessings even as he urged his flocks to seek the guidance of the Lord for unity and peace. He gave tribute to the martyrdom of the Apostles and Andres Bonifacio as well as the modern day heroism of the Overseas Filipino Workers and the soldiers who have sacrificed a lot for the sake of peace.

Peace and Development Forum Highlights

Stressing to the Samareños the importance of Peace to attain development, Mr. Pastor “Jun” Alcover, Chairman of the ANAD Partly-list gave his vivid testimony how the CPP/NPA/NDF employ the “Art of Deception”. The efforts of Legal Front Organizations to deliberately deceive, organize and mobilize the people in the countryside to fight and topple the democratic government in order to grab political power. Likewise, Alcover expressed his dilemma and ordeal while in the communist organization before and explained briefly to the audience the methodology of agitation and propaganda being waged by them.

LtGen. Emmanuel Teodosio, Commander of Central Command on his part stressed that he was overwhelmed by the Samareños in their response in the fight against terrorism and insurgency in Samar. He challenged everyone to continually unite and support the government.

On the other hand, Secretary Norberto Gonzales, in his message before thousands of Samarnons he lauded the efforts of the Command for initiating the Peace and Development Forum. He urged the 8ID to synergistically work with the Local Government Units and the people in its efforts to totally eradicate the menace of CPP/NPA/NDF and in order to attain peace and development of the province. “We can’t attain development if the problem of insurgency exists in the area” he said. He challenged the legal front organizations like BAYAN MUNA, ANAKPAWIS, GABRIELA, SUARA BANGSAMORO, MIGRANTE, and ANAKBAYAN not to cloak their communist ideology and to stop fooling the people of their real intentions of sowing terror and grab power.

Giving inspiration to the youth, two (2) students from Calapi National High School namely: Jocelle Gaviola and Rosalinda Olinar were given Plaques of Appreciation by the Command and cash prizes for their simple yet meaningful contribution of their Winning Poem Entries which depict the Evils of Communism that affect the youth today. Adding memorable insights to the celebration was a testimony given by a former NPA Commander, Ms Helen Acebedo Alias “Lyka” formerly operating in the Eastern Samar areas. She emotionally shared to the audience her ordeals while in the communist organization.  She was so thankful for her capture because the government gave her   another chance to live a new life.

Gov Milagrosa Tan led the mass Affirmation of Support expressing full support to the government for the attainment of peace and development and never again support the CPP/NPA/NDF whose aim is to destroy freedom and democracy. The Governor gave very impressive closing remarks as she captured the audience in praise. She expressed her thanks for those who continually trust and support her leadership in the province. She declared on the spot Educational Fund Support to the attendees of the said forum to be released upon request from the Local Chief Executives and likewise promised a Livelihood Fund Support to be released next year.

Gov. Tan and MGen. Ramos led the provincial and municipal officials in the burning of effigies that symbolized the complete denouncing of the CPP/NPA/NDF from their lives while altogether singing the song “AN PAGKAURUSA”.

March for Peace

After decades of fear, threats and manipulation by the CPP/NPA/NDF, an estimated 8,000 people coming from the different barangays and municipalities of the Province of Samar and Calbayog City, headed by Gov. Milagrosa Tan of Samar, Municipals Mayors, Vice-Mayors, councilors and Barangay Captains, Civilian Volunteer Organizations (CVO), religious organizations, students, Non-Government Organizations (NGOs), People’s Organizations (POs), military officers and personnel enthusiastically  joined the “March for Peace” that started from Olay Filed, Camp Lukban and ended at Provincial Capitol and Pier area.

This noble endeavor was the longest and largest march for peace that ever happened in Samar. The Samarnos publicly denounced communism and the violence and atrocities being perpetrated by the CPP/NPA/NDF and their allied legal front organizations in their respective localities. They explicitly expressed wholehearted support to development programs of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the government.