The Propelling Our Inherited Nation Through our Youth (POINTY) Misamis Oriental Chapter together with 58IB facilitated the three-day activity dubbed as "the 1st Misamis Oriental IP YLS " with a theme "Katutubong Kabatan-onan, Maoy Paglaom, Pangandoy ug Mahimong Hinungdan alang sa Kalinaw ug Kabag-ohan."
A total of 87 IP youth participants from different municipalities of Eastern Misamis Oriental and Gingoog City joined the said YLS which aims to enhance the potential of the youth to become responsible citizens and catalysts in advocating peace and development.
Aside from the discussion of Youth in peace-building, the participants were also given series of lectures that includes: the 6 programs for IPs under EO #70, CPP-NPA's Exploitation of the youth, Anti-criminal Act, Livelihood opportunities for youth, and orientation on Gender Sensitivity.
With this, the participants came to understand that as an empowered IP youth, they need to take a stand on every aspects of their lives because they are the leaders of tomorrow. They also came to realize that there is no need for them to join the NPA and overthrow the government because they appreciated what the government is doing for them.
The 58th Infantry (DIMALULUPIG) Battalion under the leadership of Lt. Col. Ricky L Canatoy, expressed his heartfelt gratitude to all the government agencies and partner units for this effort to save our youth from the CTGs recruitment and transform them as advocates of peace to end local communist armed conflict.
Meanwhile, Lt. Col. Canatoy said, "this unit initiated the conduct of this activity to develop the youth's awareness on their integral role in nation-building by instilling to them the spirit of nationalism and empower them to take a step in encouraging the remaining members of the CTGs, especially their fellow youth to surrender."
"They are the future leaders of our next generation and we must protect them from the CTG's exploitation and deception. I call on our partners from different agencies to join hands as we continue our endeavors in ending local communist armed conflict. And to the remnants of the NPA, stop recruiting these youths, instead lay down your arms, return to the folds of the law and live a peaceful life with your families," he ended.
YLS is a mechanism and movement of peace-oriented advocates to protect our youth against Communist NPA Terrorist and its allied militant groups’ recruitment which violates the Republic Act on Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act, the Anti-Human Trafficking Act and other Human Rights laws by recruiting minors and the youth in their armed and political struggle to overthrow the government.
Source: Civil-Military Operations Office, 58th Infantry Battalion, Joint Task Force Agila, PA
Source: Civil-Military Operations Office, 58th Infantry Battalion, Joint Task Force Agila, PA
No comments:
Post a Comment