SAGADA, Mt. Province - The Mountain Province Youth Organization (MPYO) - Sagada, in partnership with the Sagada Municipal Station and Charlie Company of the 54th Infantry Battalion (IB), conducted a Candle Lighting and Prayer Rally in memory of all the victims of the 52-year atrocity of the CPP-NPA-NDF.
The event was held at the Sagada New Municipal Building which was attended by different organizations and sectoral groups such as the youth, religious sectors, Sagada LGU, BFP-Sagada, and Sangguniang Kabataan(SK).
During the event, different personalities gave their message to call for peace and cessation of conflict.
Vice Mayor Felicito Dula, the keynote speaker gave his prayer and hope that peace, love, and happiness will thrive in Sagada. He also encouraged the attendees to support the programs of the government towards attaining peace and order and reminded them to avoid actions that will aggravate the security of their Municipality.
Likewise, the Vice Mayor urged the NPA members to lay their arms and come home to their families.
Father Marcs Castañeda, the Parish Priest of Sagada, expressed that anything that destroys peace is a grave sin because peace is the face of God in the community.
Ate Cal, one of the Youth for Peace volunteers said that the efforts of government today in addressing the problems of the grassroots are sincere and visible.
She added that rebellion is and will never be the answer to air grievances, which can be always be done in legal ways. She also encouraged the youth to focus more on their studies and love their family.
SK Federation President, Jereval Lawagey also shared his bad encounter with the NPA. He likewise encouraged everyone, especially the youth not to join or support the NPA.
Meanwhile, Mr. Jaime Dugao, the Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative (IPMR) of Sagada challenged the youth that while the parents and schools taught them to become critical, they must also use their voice and energy for a positive outcome.
He also encouraged the attendees to criticize objectively and be part of the solution without going to the mountains and hold guns.
Mr. Dugao reiterated that the Indigenous Peoples' ancestral domains should not have a single drop of blood from the government, the left, and even the civilians.
The activity concluded with a prayer and a candle-lighting led by Father Charles Buking, the Chaplain of Saint Mary's Church, for the repose of all the victims of the CPP-NPA-NDF.
The event's organizers also expressed their gratitude to all who attended and reminded them that peace, as the highest form of human development, is not only a responsibility of those in uniform but by everyone.
Written by: Carmen Malabong, President, Youth for Peace Mt. Province, YFPNL
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