Mati SPED Students Catalyst of Peace

City of Mati, Davao Oriental, August 17, 2015 – To promote peace in the City of Mati, SPED students of Rabat-Rocamora Mati Central School SPED Center in partnership with the 701st Infantry (KAGITINGAN) Brigade conducted a Student Forum on Peace and Security last August 12, 2015 at the schools open field highlighted by a capability display of the Philippine Army.

 Believing in the idea that Peace and Security is vital in reaching their dreams, the Supreme Students Government (SPG) and School Police Unit (SPU) headed by Chief of Staff Ms. Princess Kyrose T. Bajenting of Rabat-Rocamora Mati Central School SPED Center conceptualized a Students Forum on Peace and Security with its goal of making aware of the student on their role in maintaining and promoting Peace and Security in their locality. 

 With the guidance of Mr. Andrew M. Enriquez, SPG adviser, the student leader then requested the 701st Brigade to be the resource person of the said activity and inspired by the   recently conducted Capability Demonstration during the Araw ng Davao Oriental the student requested the same activity to be the highlight of the student forum.

Upon receiving the request from the responsible SPG Chief of Staff, the 701st Infantry (KAGITINGAN) Brigade under the leadership of Col. Bienvenido R. Datuin Jr. accepted the request knowing that the youth is vital in the promotion of peace and security in the City of Mati.

In the morning, 701st Brigade Civil Military Operations Officer Cpt. Elmar Salvador conducted lecture regarding the role of everyone in the maintenance of Peace and Security in the Province of Davao Oriental. Said officer also discussed the effective partnership of the Provincial and Local Government Units together with national and local agencies in the sustainment of peace. Cpt Salvador ended his lecture by encouraging the students in studying hard for it is the best way in the promotion and maintenance of peace and security.

At 2Pm the capability display started at the open field of the school, around three hundred (300) students and teachers interacted with the Philippine Army’s Infantry Squad, Armor Assets, Field Artillery Canon’s, Medical Capabilities and saw photo static display. Participants were also able to have pictorials with the different Military assets.

 In an interview by a student reporter to Col Datuin, he said “we are very happy because at a very young age, you students already appreciate the importance of peace and security”. “Sharing ideas on promoting peace and security is our main goal because this is the key for the development in the City of Mati as well in the Province of Davao Oriental”.

Students and teachers of the Rabat-Rocamora Mati Central School SPED Center were so thankful that the interaction with the Philippine Army.  They said that the lecture and capability demonstration will not be the last activity with the Army in the school, it will just be first of the many activities for peace.

“This kind of interest I have witnessed from the students and teachers touched my heart, this activity inspired the troops of 701st Brigade to conduct mere activities in partnership with the students”. “Now that we have started, we will continue to be at the cutting edge in every endeavor and enlightening the young minds of students on peace and security and to add more of their interest and enthusiasm in attaining peace in the Champion Province of Davao Oriental”, Col Datuin Jr replied. (4th Civil Military Operations Company, PA)