Army, civil society join hands for the country's 1st reg'l 'Bantay Bayanihan'

By Jennifer C. Tilos

Sunday 1st of July 2012

DUMAGUETE CITY, Julyo (PIA) -- Fifty people coming from the army, police, civil society organizations, members of the academe, and other stakeholders launched the country's first ever regional level 'Bantay Bayanihan' at the Bethel Hotel in Dumaguete City recently.

Commanding General of Philippine Army, Lt. General Emmanuel Bautista with the heads of civil society groups in Negros Oriental led the signing of manifesto supporting the Regional Bantay Bayanihan Region 7.

According to Capt. Anacito Naz, army Information Officer the Bantay Bayanihan is a civil society-led initiative that started last year by a core group from the academe and civil society organizations.

Capt Naz said it aims to create an oversight body over the armed forces, including defense and security policies. This initiative intends to insure that the principles of Human Rights, International Humanitarian Law, as well as the values of accountability and good governance are embedded in the operations of the AFP.

Naz added the Bantay Bayanihan serves as a “dialogue space” to encourage civil society debate and citizen’s awareness of and engagement with defense and reform issues.

During the launching, Working Group Security Sector Reform convenor, Dr. Jennifer Santiago-Oreta emphasized that the military action is not enough to address this multi-faceted security problem.

Hence, Oreta said there is a need for a concerted efforts and convergence of all stakeholders to finally put an end to the problems in insurgency by 2016 through peaceful means under the IPSP Bayanihan.

The launching of Bantay Bayanihan was also attended by Major General Gerardo T Layug Jr., Commander of 8th Infantry Division, Col Francisco M Patrimonio, Commander of 302nd Brigade, Col Isidro L Purisima, OJ3 Representative, Col Raul M Farnacio, CS CENTCOM, Col Allan S Martin, DBC 802 Brigade.

Government and non-government sectors also attended the event that included Marietta “Baby” Jambora, president of Oriental Negros Children’s Advocacy Network (ONCAN); Roel R Degamo, governor, Negros Oriental; Jocelyn Limkaichong, representative, of 1st District; PCSupt Marcelo P Garbo PNP; Dr. Jennifer Santiago Oreta; local government officials; members of civil organization (CSOs) from Negros Oriental, Cebu, Bohol, and Siquijor. (mbcn/JCT- PIA 7, Negros Oriental)