ACCEPTANCE CEREMONY OF FORMER MILF REBELS

Message of Major General Romeo D. Lustestica AFP

Commander 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 especially
here in this part of Mindanao.
Ang araw na ito ay lubhang napakahalaga sapagkat ating
bibigyang pugay ang desisyon ng ilan nating kapatid na
mamuhay ng mapayapa sa poder ng ating pamahalaan.
Ito ay isang dakilang tagumpay para sa mga adhikain ng bawat
isa sa atin tungo sa pangmatagalang kapayapaan dito sa
bahaging ito ng Mindanao. Patunay ito ng pagkakaisa at
kooperasyon ng lahat ng sector ng lipunan, maging sibilyan man
o military, sa pagiging bukas at handang tanggapin ang ating
mga kapatid na humiwalay ng landas pabalik sa poder ng ating
pamahalaan.
Ito ay isa ring mahalagang pagpapa-alala na ang bawat isa sa
atin ay may kaukulang tungkuling dapat gampanan upang
bantayan ang demokrasyang ating tinatamasa.
Indeed, the example set by Commander Kayamura Mangilala
and his followers manifest their desire to live compassionately
with a mindset of peace.
We are deeply aware that through the noble action they have
undertaken, for as long as they did it with high hopes and
sincerity, 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 darating
pang mga araw, ang marangal na desisyon na kanilang
ginagawa ay magsisilbing halimbawa upang mamulat ang ating
mga kapatid na patuloy na naninindigan sa aramado at
madugong pakikibaka.
We at the TABAK Division uphold peace as our primary
objective. As we perform our responsibility in safeguarding our
nation’s security, We likewise engage in active dialogue and
cooperation to all stakeholders—for we believe peace is
everyone’s business, not just the government’s.
We understand that peace is a pre-condition we need to achieve
before the people can feel the palpable impact of economic and
social progress. Needless to say, this momentous gathering is a
very 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 ourselves
to work hand in hand with different organizations—be it with
other government agencies, the civil society, religious and
business sectors—to build bridges of understanding and
confidence.
As an institution of our democratic republic, we consider it
essential to interact and engage with the community. The
community’s involvement is an indispensable aspect of peace-
building; for we understand that genuine peace can only be
achieved through consensus and consultation among all
stakeholders. Thus, we are privileged to take part in gatherings
like the one we have today.
Our presence here reflects our recognition of the importance of
civil society and efforts to promote collective welfare, security
and lasting peace in Mindanao and elsewhere in the
archipelago.
And I’m truly even grateful that the provincial government of
Lanao del Norte under the able leadership of Governor Khalid
Dimaporo 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 especially
in areas of urgent need. Be assured that you can continue to
count on us in our common goal in achieving lasting peace and
sustainable development in this part of the region.
Gawin nating modelo si kapatid na Kayamura Mangilala at
kanyang mga kasamahan upang mahikayat pa natin pabalik sa
poder ng gobyerno ang iba pa nating kapatid na patuloy na
naniniwala sa armado at madugong pakikibaka.
Bigyan natin sila at kanilang mga pamilya ng puwang sa ating
lipunan upang makamtan nila ang mapayapang pamumuhay sa
ilalim ng demokrasyang ating tinatamasa.
With that, in behalf of my command, the First Infantry (TABAK)
Division, I would like to express once again my profound
gratitude to the local government Lanao del Norte. I strongly
pray that our initiative will continue to serve as an avenue to
enrich our peace-building pursuits in the days to come.
Nawa’y maghari ang kapayapaan sa buong Mindanao.
Maraming salamat.