IMPASUGONG, BUKIDNON – A total of 70 Former Rebels under the 8th Infantry “Dependable” Battalion received assorted groceries through the Gift Giving activity with the theme: “Pag pang hatag ug Pinaskuhan ngadto sa mga kanhing rebelde” (Gift Giving to former rebels) at Sitio Mahayag, Brgy St Peter, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon on 19 December 2022.
The gift giving activity is intended for former rebels who decided to choose peace and finally return to the folds of the law. The program intends to make the former rebels feel the essence of Christmas and that they are cherished members in the society.
Lieutenant Colonel Anthony A Bacus, Commanding Officer of 8IB led the distribution of assorted goods assisted by Hon Elmer Lumihay, Brgy Kagawad, Brgy St Peter Malaybalay City, Bukidnon and Mr Joel Lumista, Purok Leader of Sitio Mahayag.
Mr. Jemuel Pinohan, a former rebel expresses his gratitude “Ako uban sa akong mga kauban mapasalamaton gayod sa among nadawat pag usab nga tabang, daku kini nga butang alang kanamo karon nga padulong ang kapaskohan, aduna nay ma hikay namu karong pasko, nagpa-abot gayod kami ug pagpasalamat sa walay pu-as nga tabang ug pagsuporta nga gipakita kanamo nga bisan kami nga mga kanhing nirebelde sa nasud. (My colleagues and I are very grateful for the help we received, this is a big thing for us now that Christmas is approaching, we have something to arrange this Christmas, we thank you for the generous help and support shown to us even though we were former rebels).
Lieutenant Colonel Anthony A Bacus gave his message “Dako ang akong pagpasalamat kaninyong tanan tungod sa inyong desisyon nga kamu nibalik na gayod sa tinuod natong gobyerno, naghinaot ko nga pinaagi ani nga programa kitang tanan mag malipayon, magsaulog kita ug malipayong kapaskuhan ug mabungahong bag-ong tuig”. (I am very grateful to all of you for deciding to return to our real government. I hope that through this program we will all be happy and celebrate a happy holiday season and a fruitful new year).
“Maswerte kita nga kita nagkatapok ug nagkahiusa karon nga panahon sa pasko o kung panahon sa pagminahalay, kami naningkamot nga bisan sa gamay nga butang kami makatabang pinaagi sa paghatag mga grocery, ang atong tinuod nga gobyerno wala gayod nagpasagad sa pagtan-aw sa atoa, busa atong awhagon ang atong mga igsoon nga nahabilin pa sa kabukiran karon nga sila manganaog na, nga ang ilang mga pamilya naglaom na sa ilaha karong panahon sa pasko”. (“We are lucky that we are gathered and united today during Christmas. We are trying to help even in a small way by giving groceries. Our real government never neglects to look after us so let’s encourage our brothers to go down and lay down their arms and live peacefully with their families this Christmas season”) Ltc Bacus added.
