BAGUIO CITY (PIA) — Radiating the spirit of love, peace and unity this yuletide season, youth groups in this summer capital spearheaded a peace convention and concert at the People’s Park, also known as Malcolm Square here on December 26.
The Empowered Youth for Peace (YFP) – Baguio Chapter, in partnership with the Cordillera Youth Leaders, Youth Mobile Force (YMF) and the Baguio KKDAT (Kabataan Kontra Droga at Terorismo) and the Joint Task Force Baguio led the “Sulong Para sa Kapayaan” Peace convention with the theme, “Walang Magmamahal sa Pilipinas kundi Tayong mga Pilipino, Walang Magmamalasakit sa Pilipino kundi Kapwa Pilipino ”.
The event was festive with performances from the Police Regional Office – Cordillera Band and the Philippine Army 5th Infantry Division Combo and intermission numbers from the YFP, YMF and KKDAT members.
Baguio youth, law enforcement officers and civil society folks in a community dance in support to the promotion of peace and development and the advocacy of ending local communist armed conflict. (CCD/PIA CAR)
The young conveners also spearheaded a community dance, oath of commitment and commitment signing for the advocacy against youth recruitment for terrorism and in support to the End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC) program.
Two young former rebels shared their experiences and testaments. They affirmed that youth recruitment for the communist armed conflict is really happening. They also called for a united front in combatting youth recruitment towards wrong idealism and terrorism, in ending the local armed conflict and in promoting lasting peace and nation building.
Jewel Chrissaerain Tucneg, YFP – Baguio representative to the Cordillera Regional Peace and Order Council, outlined that the convention aims to encourage everyone to unite in promoting lasting peace in Baguio City and to showcase that the young people can be ambassadors of peace and development.
The Philippine Army 5th ID Combo entertains the crowd with several Christmas and lively song numbers. (CCD/PIA CAR)
Philippine National Police Regional Mobile Force Battalion 15 Commander PCOL Ruel Tagel, stressed the importance of increasing public awareness on the manipulation and exploitation of youth to join the communist armed conflict and the need of bringing lasting peace towards community development.
JTF – Baguio Commander Camilo Saddam, in his message, expressed gratitude to all the youth organizations that spearheaded the peace convention, and to the City Government led by Mayor Benjamin Magalong for hosting the event.
“This showcases unity in promoting peace and development here in Baguio City, and the Cordillera. We hope that this radiates in the countryside where armed struggle remains,” Saddam stressed. (JDP/CCD-PIA CAR)
