LAAK, Davao de Oro – The Youth for Peace Movement (YFPM) Laak successfully pushed through a peace symposium that aims to instill peace values and initiatives of government in ending local communist armed conflict among the youth of NPA-influenced communities on December 8, 2021 at Special Barangay Buhi of Ampawid here. Despite the geographical location, limited access to electricity, signal and internet connection, the event dubbed as "Community Peace Symposium" (CPS) was able to convene 45 youth of the said barangay. Going to the venue, the facilitators had to travel more than an hour via dumptruck to get to the center of Ampawid, then transfered into motorcycles and a rescue vehicle and sometimes they have to walk to arrive in the area since it was not possible for the truck to pass through a risky road and streams. The activity began with a talk on the Peace Security Situation of Davao de Oro by SSG Arturo A Villones of 60th Infantry Battalion wherein he emphasized the overall state of the Davao de Oro from the conflict brought by the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) and how the AFP takes effective measures address the problem. The topic entitled, "Kasinati-an" was delivered by alias "Ka Duday," a former rebel who shared his life story; how it feels living with the terrorist movement, and why the participants must not follow his worst decision in life of joining the CTG. Mr. Jess Elton Largado of the Provincial Local Government Unit (PLGU) of Davao de Oro discussed the final topic entitled "Peace Initiatives of Oplan Pagbabago" wherein he elaborated the interventions of the local government, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and other concerned agencies to attain peace and development in former conflict-affected areas and how the youth could involve as one of the primary players to finally end the local communist armed conflict. In an interview, the President of YFPM Laak, Mr. Jay Zon B. Lumba pointed out the need to implement the CPS to empowere the youth, especially in NPA-influenced communities where access is very difficult. "Community Peace Symposium was initiated to empower the youth as the harbingers of peace since they are one of the most vulnerable sectors in this critical social issue in our country," he said. He also expressed his gratitude for all the groups and individuals who contribute to realize the event. "This peace-promoting activity, will not be possible without the help of the AFP particularly the Charlie Company of the 60th Infantry Battalion, the Sangguniang Kabataan, and the PLGU of Davao de Oro headed by Gov. Jayvee Tyron Uy," the YFPM President added. The participants locked the success of the activity as they pledged to become one of the catalysts in ending armed struggles by reciting the Manifesto of Peace. Meanwhile, during the Open Forum, they also expressed their gratitude to the organizers who brought the CPS in their community "I am happy to know that there are youth who inititated this kind of activity. We learned a lot and we are thankful to everyone who made this activity possible," a participant said.
Written by: Peace Communication Unit, Youth for Peace Movement Laak, YFPEM
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