Iligan LGU pays tribute to Heroes tightened security against terror

By Jun Enriquez (see video below)

At left, BGen William A. Alunday, AFP, received citation award from Iligan City Mayor Celso Regencia (3rd left) with Iligan City Vice Mayor Jemar L. Vera Cruz (2nd left) looks on with some City Councilors at the background.

Iligan City – Simple but meaningful ceremonial event commemorated the 2017 National Heroes day, August 28, 2017, at the Freedom park, city public plaza this city, organized by the local government of Iligan City in cooperation with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP) and different National government line agencies. 

The MSU-IIT Kalimulan Dance Troupe

Giving more colors to the event were the entertainments of the Buhanginan voices, selected government employees for the Iligan March and the cultural dance of the Kalimulan Dance troupe of the Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT), 21-gun salute by the military. Guests and participants attended during the celebration were the Local Public officials and employees of the Iligan City government, Barangay officials, Military and Police, Coast Guards, Non-government organizations (NGOs), among others.

Also present during the event were Iligan City Vice Mayor Jemar L. Vera Cruz; Col. Alex Aduca, Commander of the 4^th Mechanized Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army; and PSSUPT Leony Roy Ga, City Director, Iligan City Police Office (ICPO).

Atty. Dexter Ray Sumaoy, City Administrator of the Iligan City Government in his welcome message paid tribute to the new heroes, the soldiers who fought and sacrifice their lives just to make sure people can sleep well. He also appreciated the social workers, volunteers, benefactors of local and national agencies, and all those who sacrifice their time, sweat and efforts to serve the Internally displaced persons (IDPs) in and outside the evacuation centers who were victims of the Marawi crisis, considering the sharing of the culture of others.

Atty. Dexter Ray Sumaoy 

Sumaoy said the IDPs who are victims of the terroristic acts feel the discomfort in the evacuation centers foothold not to contribute to the terrorists and their comrades, neighbors, friends or relatives is a sign of sacrifice of embracing peace. He said the Iliganons pay respect to protect Iligan given the sanctity to the course of freedom, independence and peace is always a challenge.

Iligan City Councilor, Atty. Demy Plando also expressed his appreciation to the living heroes especially the Overseas Filipino workers (OFW) in one way or another contributed a big help to our beloved country in terms economic stability for sending remittances out of their salaries for the sustenance to the needs of their families. Plando said he is sponsoring a local ordinance for financial assistance to help local applicants abroad with an amount of 20,000 to 40,000 pesos to be used for the processing of their applications to unemployment problem.

The invited Guest Speaker during the event was Brigadier Gen William A. Alunday, AFP, Commander of the 2nd Mechanized Infantry "Magbalantay" Brigade, Philippine Army, based in Ma. Cristina, Iligan city. In his message, “the commemoration for the Special day for our heroes who offered sacrifices to our motherland or homeland, enjoy the freedom to live the liberty of progress.” He urged everyone enjoins to help realize the fast changing environment benefiting the pursuit of progress and prosperity.

City councilor Datu Rolando Soong with Gen Alunday

Alunday said “the success of our heroes will not be wasted to the succeeding generations and enjoy the economic advantage in the access of resources on environmentally safe, to sustain the balance of production and fair distribution of opportunities and generates employment.”

The government workers to include the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), and other security agencies, including the local chief executives are mandated by the people and the state of integrated efforts for the transformation of the environment to produce positive results for progress and prosperity.

Alunday said there must be a balance of the economy and environment to prevent unfavorable impact like what happened in Syria and lately in Marawi City. He said they obey constitutional mandate to secure the sovereignty and constituency with strong coordination of the members of the security sector. He said Peace and order must always prevail. There are threats from terrorism and terrorist groups substantiated with transnational crimes to create problem.

Given the taxes from the people, the government has effectively performed their duties to provide services in a form of education, health, infrastructure among others for development, characterized by sensitivities of different cultures and faiths, and guarantee the quality of life.

   

Alunday said “there is a need the support of everybody because we cannot solve the social problem by combatting alone. Love of country must continue to be done what our heroes started.”

Iligan City Mayor Celso G. Regencia in his message said there are people critical to the President, Mayor Rodrigo Roa Duterte, which is he is only doing his job  especially the fight against illegal drugs, criminalities and terrorism.

The Marawi crisis to date had at least 134 soldiers killed in action, at least 40 personnel from the Philippine National Police (PNP) died and at least 1,341 soldiers wounded. Mayor Regencia said they are the new heroes of today. He had hope that the Marawi crisis will be ended soonest time so that the evacuees can go back to their respective places to end their sufferings.

 

Regencia said “in today’s National heroes day celebration is a manifestation that we owe to our great grandparents for sacrificing their lives for the freedom that we enjoy at present.” He added “our soldiers sacrificed their lives in the fight against the enemy of the state so that we can sleep well at night.” Checkpoints were created for the safety and security of the people. It is enough to show support from the constituents to keep up the moral of the military and police to continue their fight against criminality and terrorism.

Regencia said the local government of Iligan City always committed its all-out support to the military and police in fighting the Maute and ISIS  in Marawi city. The terrorists wanted to discredit the government to kill civilians but the government will not stop to crush them out. He urged finally the people should unite to defeat the evil prevail peace. Photos & Video by Jun Enriquez; with reports by Joan Eslit.

Video file: Entertainment songs rendered by Buhanginan voices and cultural dances by the MSU-IIT Kalimulan dance troupe.