Youth Leadership Summit in Banaybanay

Banaybanay, Davao Oriental- About 187 young leaders from 14 Brangays of Banaybanay, joined the Youth Leadership Summit (YLS) in municipality of Banaybanay on 20-24, September 2012 at Parish Center Banaybanay, Davao Oriental.

 

Dubbed with the theme “Barug Kabataan, Makighiusa para sa Kalinaw og Kalambuan,” the four-day Summit has a main goal to win the peace through inter-agency collaboration.  

 

The YLS Banaybanay was organized by 28^th Infantry Battalion under Ltc Francisco Lorenzo Jr with the support coming from the Provincial and Local Government Unit (LGU), Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Federation of Banaybanay and participation from various government agencies, civic and religious groups.

 

Other graduates of the YLS, now members of Youth for Peace coming from municipalities of San Isidro and Lupon of Davao Oriental were united and came together for the YLS Banaybanay to act as “Ates and Kuyas” (Mentors) during the summit.

 

The YLS is a character-based leadership for the youth that intends to inculcate among the youth the virtues of patriotism, awareness against drug addiction, awareness on threat situation and deeper environmental concerns.

 

According to 1^st Lt Montelibano, the YLS Exercise Director and Civil Military Operation of 28IB, the YLS was packed with team building activities, physical fitness, spiritual  nourishment, pro-environment activities and highlighted with their evening socials were in the officers of Youth for Peace Movement (YFPM) Banaybanay Chapter where inducted. Sangguniang Bayan member Hon Lemuel Ian Larcia and Hon Flores M Alingalan was able to impart their success youth leader story.

 

The youth were group into barangays to create their Action Plan was presented to the SB member Lemuel Ian Larcia and Flores M Alingalan, together with Barangay officials in 12 Barangays in Banaybanay, Davao Oriental.

 

“Their Action Plan will be their guide in implementing their programs prioritizing the immediate needs,” said Ltc Lorenzo.

Injured in Grenade Throwing reached to 47 civilians, 13 minors

Camp Panacan, Davao City - The 10^th Infantry Division vehemently condemns the act of the Organized Crime Group – New People’s Army in involving civilians during the incident by means of sowing fear among the populace who are now leaving normal lives and enjoying the celebration of their upcoming Barangay fiesta thus, endanger the lives of individuals. Again, they have shown their true nature as cold-blooded criminals who care less even if they endanger civilian populace. 

Three days after the incident, civilians injured reportedly reached its toll to 47 where the youngest victim is two years old. “Someone should be held responsible and should be penalized on these continuous wanton violations committed by the criminal group (NPA)”, 10^th Infantry Division Spokesperson Lt. Col. Lyndon Paniza said.

He cited Part 4, Article 4, Paragraph 4 of the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL) which clearly mandates that “civilian population shall be treated as such and shall be distinguished from combatants and, together with their property, shall not be the object of attack”.

He further added that there were 13 minors who were also wounded in said incident who were only enjoying the festivity but ended up in the hospital due to different injuries suffered from the grenade blast. “This also violates the rights of children as stipulated in Republic Act 7610”, he said.

Under R.A. 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act, Article 10, Section 2 mandates that “children shall not be the object of attack and shall be entitled to special respect….they shall be protected from any form of threat, assault, torture or other cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment..”.

“Human rights watchdogs seems to have been passive whenever these atrocities happen perpetrated by the criminal group New People’s Army”, Paniza said.