By Jong Cadion
PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur (August 19, 2017
CNN PH) - Following talks with the security sector, the Mindanao State
University launched the “Brigada Eskwela” amid the armed conflict in the City
of Marawi, military official said.
Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom) information
officer Cpt Jo-Ann D. Petinglay disclosed that this came following recommendations by the administration that
classes be resumed and security arrangement be made as high-ranking security
officials joined the round-table discussion last August 8. The Brigada Eskwela
was launched at 8am on Thursday to prepare for the resumption of classes.
“It is worth mentioning in this occasion that the
AFP, indeed, did not limit itself to providing kind help and support to the
university. Just a few days ago, Colonel Romeo Brawner, Lieutenant Colonel RosendoAbad,
Jr., Lieutenant Colonel Jake Jumawan, and the rest of their company came to us
and talked to us about the sustainable security of the MSU so that our faculty,
staff, and students will be safe and secured as we finally open the regular
classes on August 22, 2017, barring any obstacle or impediment,” said Dr.
Florencio Recoleto, OIC vice chancellor for academic affairs, in his welcome
remarks.
Lieutenant General Carlito G. Galvez, Commander of
the Western Mindanao Command, welcomed the launching of Brigada Eskwela as
soldiers joined the university staff in repairing the facilities and in
cleaning the university premises.
Present were Marawi Mayor Majul Gandamra;
Lieutenant General Carlito G. Galvez, Jr., commander of the Western Mindanao
Command; Brigadier General Felicisimo Budiungan of the Mechanized Infantry
Division, Philippine Army, who is also an alumnus of the MSU; Colonel Thomas
Sedano, Jr., commander of the Civil Military Operations Regiment; and Colonel
Allan Hambala, the Chief of Staff, 1st Infantry Division, who is also an MSU
alumnus.
“The plan for the long-term security arrangement is
a product of the collaboration between AFP, PNP, and PKF,” added Dr. Recoleto.
“That is the reason why MSU is now still standing,
perhaps as the only remaining shining hope and inspiration to the Maranaos, to
the entire Moro people, and to our Christian brothers and sisters alike who
have been part of and have given so much love to the university, both as their
alma mater and their home for the rest of their lives. Our profuse thanks to
General Galvez and all officers of the AFP for coming and for taking care of
the university and its constituents. In our hearts, you are indeed our heroes,”
he said.
The chancellors and school staff, together with the
military, led the symbolic wielding of brooms and dust pans.
"Guns can kill terrorists, but education can
kill terrorism," said Lieutenant General Galvez, quoting the youngest
Nobel Prize awardee Malala Yusofzai from India, a known advocate for freedom of
education.
On 9 October 2012, Yusofzai was shot by a Taliban
gunman while riding a bus home after taking an examination in Pakistan's Swat
Valley, something that was not openly permitted by the Taliban among their
female population, Cpt. Petinglay added.
Inspired by Yusofzai, the Commander of the Western
Mindanao Command was easily convinced to work out the security problem in order
to open the classes at MSU the soonest because it is his personal belief that
"education is the antidote for terrorism."
He said that like Yusofzai, MSU stayed strong and
stood her ground amid the intense fighting and dangers just a few kilometers
away.
He further acknowledged that "MSU is the
center of hope and the center of freedom; with education, everyone can have
freedom," he said.
"Huwag po nating pabayaan na ang ating
natamong pag-asa at tagumpay ay mawala dahil lang sa takot. The terrorists
instill fear, when we have fear, we become hopeless, and with hopelessness,
magkakaroon po tayo ng dysfunctions," said the WestMinCom Chief.
The MSU caters to marginalized students across the
country, especially scholars from Visayas, Mindanao, and Palawan. It has
produced a number of professionals and topnotchers in its 56 years of
operation.
Addressing the Maranaos, staff, and students of
MSU, he said, "Ang sabi ng ating mahal na Presidente, ‘I am a Maranao,
hindi ko kayo pababayaan...’ and him, being our Commander-in-Chief, I will obey
his command... I am telling you now, wala pong iwanan, hindi po namin kayo
pababayaan," added LtGen Galvez.
The “Food for Peace,” where MSU staff and soldiers
celebrate the launching of the activity, was also held at 11am today, utilizing
the Marawi Mayor's mobile kitchen.
Marawi Mayor Gandamra was emotional when he said
that the opening of MSU is an event that promises hope to Marawi City.
"MSU is hope… hope that everything will be
back to normal someday," said the Mayor. "MSU is now getting a head
start to pick up the pieces and move forward."
"We are also hoping that one day, downtown
Marawi will also be on the same track towards normalcy," he added.
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