AFP official calls for heroism in fight vs. drugs, crime

PALO, Leyte, Oct. 20 (PNA) - A top official of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has called on young Filipinos to do heroic acts in the fight against illegal drugs and criminality.

In his speech during the 72nd Leyte Gulf Landings anniversary on Thursday, AFP Central Command Commander Lt. Gen. Raul Del Rosario said that everyone should join hands and pledge to use the 

same fighting spirit shown by warriors during the Battle of Leyte Gulf more than seven decades ago.

"We have simultaneously confronted with threats and natural disasters, but we are still intact as a nation, resiliently fighting for our solidarity and growth. To me, it is a manifestation that the courage of our war veterans continuously surge in our veins," Del Rosario said.

Del Rosario urged everyone to be bound by determination, like the Filipino veterans, to attain meaningful and genuine peace and solidarity.

According to the official, 72 years after Leyte Gulf Landings, Filipinos face another war. “This time, the enemies are not from other countries but fellow Filipinos.”

"We have been fighting a long and painful war against communist insurgency, Muslim secessionism and drugs and criminality," the official said.

War against drugs and criminality is one of the government's priorities because of its magnitude and menace, according to him

"Drugs destroy our youth and the fibers of the Filipino family and the Filipino society as a whole," Del Rosario added.

The official committed his full support and cooperation to heed the call of the president to fight against illegal drugs, criminality and corruption.

"In the name of our veterans who fight for our freedom, let us strive to attain a permanent and lasting peace."

Meanwhile, Retired Colonel Bonifacio De Gracia, Veterans Federation of the Philippine s president, in his speech, encouraged every citizen to join and cooperate in achieving national unity.

“Unity calls that everyone must join and work together in order to achieve a common goal. When all the people of the nation trying together and work collectively for the well-being of the country, it is called national unity,” he said.

He emphasized the role of the people being united in voicing out different issues in the societies such as crime, drug, food and water, poverty, health and sanitation, environment, corruption and political disasters.

According to him, unity can help diminish the adverse effect on society as a whole.

“The progress of our country is our progress, while its misfortune is ours too, thus to deeper these understandings these diversities is to strengthen the feeling of unity among us as a person, family, community and nation,” the official added.

De Gracia believes that unity can be still be achieved despite the differences among the Filipino people.

“People belong to different tribes, religion, and ethnic origins, they have different cultures observe, different fiestas, and speak different dialects. These diversity makes up our own identity. This brings the analogy of what makes a beautiful garden the diversity of flora and the fragrance it brings. This is a future of our nation.”

He also stressed the role of national unity in the progress of the country.

“Unity is crucial towards achieving a nation’s progress and prosperity. These feelings help strengthen the nation, unity promotes peace and harmony in all nations.”

De Gracia also said that all could be victorious once more if the acts would be put together for the commemorative event’s advocacy. (PNA)
SQM/JONABEL L. SALAZAR & MA. MERCEDES C. ARPON, LNU INTERNS/EGR