19IB spearheads multi-sectoral peace forum in Ormoc City

By 19th Infantry Battalion, 8ID PA
October 10, 2015

KANANGA, Leyte – Nearly 400 ROTC cadets and students attended the Multi-Sectoral Peace Forum organized by the Philippine Army’s 19th Infantry Battalion in Ormoc City.

The forum which was held Saturday, September 19 at the Gymnasium of Sto. Niño College of Ormoc was also graced by competent resource speakers from Ormoc City Government, Ormoc City Police Office and from the Eastern Visayas Regional Development Council.

Lieutenant Prolen Bonacua, Civil Military Operations Officer of 19IB said the activity was launched to raise awareness on the significance of sustained peace in the society as the National Peace Consciousness Month is being celebrated this September.

“It is imperative that in this generation, people gets clear information on what the government agencies are doing on issues relative to peace and security”, Bonacua said.

During the three-hour forum, participants were presented with lectures and audio-visual presentations on the peace initiatives of agencies in attendance. They were likewise given chance to throw questions to the resource speakers during the Open Forum segment of the program.

Among those who spoke during the forum was Lt. Col. Reymondo Delgado, Acting Commanding Officer of 19IB who stressed in his lecture two strategic approaches to attain a peaceful society.

The said approaches were namely; whole-of-nation approach and the people-centered approach which were stipulated in his presentation entitled: “Bayanihan as Catalyst of a Peaceful Society”.

Relatively, Superintendent Ibrahim Jambiran, Chief, Police Community Relations of Ormoc City Police Office focused his discussion on the “Effectiveness of Community Policing and Anti-Illegal Drug Operations”.

Ormoc City Mayor Edward Codilla, who has earlier expressed his support in the initiation of the said forum, also presented his assigned topic on “LGUs Role in Keeping the Peace in Ormoc City”.

A representative from the Eastern Visayas Regional Development Council, Mr. Leo Christian Lauzon likewise spoke on the topic: “Peace Advocates of the Modern Society”.

Delgado maintained that the 19th Infantry Battalion, in support to the Internal Peace and Security Plan “Bayanihan” is firm in its campaign of winning the peace rather than winning the war.