With the theme “Youth Advocates of Peaceful Change Beyond Pandemic”, the said leadership summit was participated by seventy-eight (78) youth leaders from the different sitios of Barangay Tungao, one of the conflict-affected areas in Butuan City.
The YLS aims to give the different sub-sectors of the youth a wider perspective on the current issues that hinder peace, progress, and development for a broader acceptance of individual responsibility through a series of lectures and interactive discussions focusing on leadership and the role of the youth in nation-building. The activity was also designed to help the youth participants be transformed and empowered as they fulfill their roles as responsible and honorable Filipinos.
The 3-day summit was a live-in activity where participants undergo a series of lectures given by different stakeholders about knowing oneself, teenage pregnancy, the importance of family and community, crime and drug awareness, leadership, human rights, and environment protection. The participants were also involved in small group discussions, spiritual enlightenment activities, Taebo exercises, cultural night program, and team-building activities.
Among the participants was Ryan Dave C. Gelbolingo, of Barangay Tungao who acknowledged the learnings he had during the three-day summit. “We have learned a lot from this summit. This activity allowed us to enhance our confidence, boost our leadership skills, and mold us to be better individuals. It also helped shape our character and our love for our country,” Gelbolingo said.
He was thankful to the 23rd IB and the city government of Butuan for the YLS activity that transformed the youth in their barangay to become participative and aware of their rights and responsibilities as members of their community.
“The training also made us aware of being targets of the recruitment of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) to force us to become young combatants of the New People’s Army (NPA),” Gelbolingo said.
He pointed out that the summit had opened their eyes to the realities within the CPP-NPA movement, including the recruitment strategies they employ among the youths, and the destructions they inflicted on the communities, residents, and families.
“Now, we already know the truth and we are finally educated on the devastations of the CPP-NPA to the families and the future of the youths. We will not allow the communist group to destroy our lives and we will not support any of their activities,” Gelbolingo said.
Brig. Gen. Maurito L Licudine, the Commander of 40 the2nd Infantry Brigade joined the seventy-eight (78) participants during their graduation day on Sunday, November 22.
In his message, Licudine encouraged the youth to support the Philippine Army on its campaign in ending the insurgency that has been pestering the communities in Butuan City.
“Be responsible citizens in our country. You are the advocates in your community. Take advantage of what you have learned and use your talents and abilities to influence others in doing the right thing,” Licudine said.
Meanwhile, Lt. Col. Julius Cesar C. Paulo, Acting Commanding Officer of 23IB thanked the youth participants for their courage in completing the three-day summit.
“The activity aims to empower the youth and enlighten them as advocates of peaceful change. All the topics during the summit are highly relevant to make the youth leaders not just advocates of peace but also as partners to achieve development,” Paulo said.
He added that the summit allows the youth to become better individuals and not be easily deceived by the propaganda of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) which destroys the future of every youth who will become part of the said underground movement.
“Your Army will not allow the CTGs to ruin your future. We are conducting this activity, together with the city government to shield you from the influence and recruitment of these terrorists,” Paulo said.
Source: Civil-Military Operations Office, 23rd Infantry Battalion, Joint Task Force Diamond, PA
No comments:
Post a Comment