6th ID chief leads inter-faith prayer in remembrance of Mamasapano encounter
Breaking News • 21:55 PM Sun Jan 24, 2016
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By:
Ferdinandh Cabrera
MGen. Edmundo Pangilinan, 6th ID chief, plant a tree as part of 1st year commemoration of Mamasapano encounter. (Ferdinandh Cabrera)
MAMASAPANO,
Maguindanao – A day before the first year anniversary of the so
called Mamasapano disaster, Army Major Gen. Edmundo Pangilinan led a simple yet
meaningful inter-faith prayer in Barangay Tukanalipao here Sunday.
The solemn
inter-religious prayer was attended by tri-people representatives to remember
the lives lost of elite police force, Moro rebels and non-combatants and held
in an open field, that one year ago, was a mute witness to the bloody carnage.
While what
transpired here a year ago was scary and bloody, we hope it served as a
reminder to one and all that we need peace, not only short-lived but long-term,”
Pangilinan said.
At the strike
of 9 a.m. Muslim, Christian and indigenous peoples religious leaders offered
prayer right beside the Tukanalipao river and a dilapidated wooden walkway.
Bougainvilla flowers
were sprinkled and offered along the river for all the slain Mamasapano
encounter victims. Participants to the
inter-faith prayer viewed and offered prayers as the flowers went with the
water flow, passing through the old wooden bridge.
While the
activity was on going, Moro farmers continue attending to their corn fields nearby.
The environment
was relatively quiet. Government soldiers
were stationed in the village but supporters and even MILF guerrillas come and
went through the newly built semi-cocrete walkway.
After the
religious rites, soldiers started digging in an area where a multi-purpose
covered court will be constructed.
To make the
even become part of history, Pangilinan led soldiers in a tree planting activity
just beside the mosque constructed nearby.
Pangilinan
said his prayer include the attainment of genuine peace amid obstacles along
the way in achieving it.
The 6th
ID chief said he decided to hold the activity a day before the 1st
year anniversary of Mamasapano encounter because he was summoned by AFP
national headquarters.
Holding it
today will spare the commemoration from politics because on Monday, politicians
are expected to come, including wives and relatives of slain elite police
forces,” he said.
He assured
security arrangements are in place for tomorrow’s big event in Barangay
Tukanalipao. (Ferdinandh Cabrera)