QUEZON CITY, Philippines—Today marks the 77th Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Foundation Day, with this year’s theme “Bayanihan at Kahandaan: Tuwid na Daan Tungo sa Kapayapaan,” a campaign that promotes environmental protection and conservation.
President Noynoy Aquino, who was the guest of honor and speaker during the celebration, commended the efforts of the AFP in his speech. “Hayaan po ninyong pangunahan ko ang pagbabalik-tanaw at pagpupugay sa ilang mga tagumpay na nakamit natin dahil sa mga positibo’t makabuluhang pagkilos ng ating kasundaluhan. Batid nating may masasamang elemento pa ring patuloy na pinagbabantaan ang kaligtasan at payapang pamumuhay ng ilang pamayanan sa bansa. Subalit dahil sa halos dalawandaang tactical operations na isinagawa ng AFP sa mga pook na naiipit sa karahasan, may isandaan at labinlimang indibidwal tayong nahuli, bukod pa sa pagsuko ng halos dalawandaan at dalawampung rebelde. Nasabat din natin ang mahigit isandaan at pitumpu’t limang mga armas at napalaya ang apatnapu’t anim na barangay mula sa masasamang elemento. Kung ikukumpara sa nakaraang taon, dalawampu’t tatlong porsyento po ang ibinaba ng insidente ng karahasang dulot ng CPP-NPA-NDF. At hindi po tayo makukuntento hangga’t may mga pamilya pa ring naiipit sa mga walang katuturang bakbakan. Kumpiyansa at inaasahan po nating sa pag-iral ng IPSP Bayanihan, napipinto na ang paglaganap ng malawakang kapayapaan sa mga lugar na dati’y pugad ng armadong hidwaan,” he said.
Several activities have been lined up for the celebration such as tree-planting that targets planting about 77,000 seedlings nationwide; Bayanihan Peace Awards honoring the IPSP Bayanihan partners said to have shown exemplary efforts in the advancement of AFP mission; bloodletting; sky-diving exhibition; Philippine Air Force (PAF) Band Exhibition; PAF Synchronized Arnis Exhibition; and Philippine Marine Corps Band Exhibition.
Considered one of the highlights of the event is the book presentation of “Kwentong Bayanihan,” which is a short stories collection that exemplifies to the President and AFP commander-in-chief the best practices of “bayanihan” as written by military members and civilians.
There’s also “Kwentong Bayan,” a DVD compilation of 20 short films as produced and directed by 20 directors-members of Filipino Pictures Inc (FilPix). The compilation is said to be contributed by FilPix to AFP in the latter’s campaign in spreading the message of “bayanihan,” among other things. The films were screened from December 17-20 at the AFP Theatre, Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.
Various sources said the celebration was kept simple. The AFP even cancelled their Christmas parties, their traditional flyby of the PAF, and AFP ball and dinner in their attempt to gather savings for the victims of Typhoon Pablo.
Latest reports, in fact, revealed the AFP were able to save about P2 million, which would be donated for relief and rehabilitation of affected areas in Visayas and Mindanao.
