Soldiers join Eid-ul Adha celebration in Western Mindanao

By Jong Cadion

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur (September 3, 2017) - More than a thousand evacuees in one of the Saguiaran evacuation centers received portions of beef meat on Saturday (Sep. 2) as Eid-ul Adha celebration continue.

Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom) information officer Cpt Jo-Ann D. Petinglay disclosed that the soldiers of the Western Mindanao Command specifically those from the Joint Task Group Tabang under Colonel Thomas Sedano arrived early at the said evacuation center to help in the butchering of about 15 cows. The meat of said cow will be later distributed to the evacuees after live cows will undergo 'sumbali' or ceremonial butchering by an Imam to make sure that the process is 'halal'.

Halal refers to what is permissible or lawful in traditional Islamic Law. It is frequently applied to permissible food and drinks, including animals that will be butchered.

Cpt. Petinglay said that the formal program started at 10am with Director Kim Edres, Head of the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos and Mayor Macmod Muti of Saguiaran attending. Also Lieutenant General Carlito G Galvez, Jr., the Commander of the Western Mindanao Command; Brigadier General Ramiro Rey, Commander of the Joint Task Group Ranao; Colonel Thomas Sedano, Commander of the Joint Task Group Tabang; and Colonel Romeo S Brawner, Jr., Deputy Commander of JTG Ranao were also present during the activity. Female soldiers were among the facilitators during the activity. They taught the kids with the peace clap, 'Kalilintad' or Peace songs and the let's go clap. Also, loot bags were distributed to the children after series of games participated by about 100 kids.

"I know the children are the ones most affected by war. It breaks my heart to see all these innocent children displaced from their normal lives," said LtGen Galvez.

"Hwag kayong mag-alala, malapit na kayong makauwi. Malapit na itong matapos. Sasamahan namin kayo hangang sa matapos ang krisis na ito," said LtGen Galvez addressing the evacuees who were also listening attentively.

"I would like to express my gratitude for the kindness extended by our generous host of the live cows the Integrated Center for Alternative Development (ICAD) Foundation led by Mr Ahmet M Bikec," added the WestMinCom Chief. "We will never forget your generosity. We will treasure this forever."

Cpt. Petinglay said that a total of 53 live cows were donated by the ICAD Foundation to the internally displaced families who are temporarily living in evacuation centers in Lanao del Sur, Lanao del Norte, and Maguindanao. The cows were delivered to different evacuation centers starting last August 31, 2017 by the Joint Task Group Tabang.

"I also would like to thank the good Mayor of this municipality, Mayor Muti for his generous and caring heart."

"For three months now, his enthusiasm in helping and taking care of the evacuees whom he welcomed here in his municipality never faltered. In fact, he continually looked for means to make the lives of more than 4,000 evacuees lighter and less burdened," LtGen Galvez adds.

Meanwhile on Friday (September 1) morning, around 5,000 Islam followers from the City of Marawi joined the congregational prayer in celebration of the Eid-ul Adha at Mindanao State University Grandstand at 6 in the morning, Cpt. Petinglay added.

Cpt. Petinglay further said that the Maranaos were joined by Muslim soldiers and cops, who are at the forefront in retaking the besieged city from Daesh-inspired fighters, in observing the feast of sacrifice in spite of the crisis in Marawi City. Also in Zamboanga, Muslim soldiers and civilians congregated at the WestMinCom mosque in Bagong Calarian at around 6:15am Friday.

She further added that the said celebration was led by the Office of the Islamic Chaplain of the WestMinCom under Colonel Sanuan Akkuh. The Filipino-Turkish Tolerance School turned over at 2pm Friday, 100 bags of beef to the Command for distribution to indigent families living inside and outside Zamboanga City. Units deployed in other areas of WestMinCom also assisted and observed the very important Muslim holiday in their respective areas.

“The armed forces are one with our Muslim brothers and sisters from Marawi City in commemorating the holy sacrifice of Ibrahim. In observing the feast of sacrifice, we are one with the Maranaos, who face the ordeal, in wishing for the rehabilitation of the battle-stricken city,” said LtGen Galvez.