BONTOC, Mountain Province – Police Regional Office-Cordillera Regional Director Police Brigadier General (PBGen.) David K. Peredo, Jr., graced Mountain Province’s (MP) commemoration of the 125th Philippine Independence Day as Guest of Honor and Speaker at the Provincial Plaza on June 12, 2023.
Peredo was joined by the province’s elected officials led by Governor Bonifacio C. Lacwasan, Jr., Representative Maximo Y. Dalog, Jr., and Vice Governor Francis O. Tauli.
Today’s commemorative celebration comes with the theme, “Kalayaan 2023: Bagong Pilipinas and Diwa ng Pagkakaisa, Living the Bayanihan Spirit,” which was underscored in all the messages given by the officials and also in the homily during the mass that preceded the program.
Reverend Father Sammy K. Maximo, who officiated the mass and who gave the homily said that the theme is a reminder that through the spirit of bayanihan or what we call binnadang or og-ogfu in our locality, people can still be united and be as one despite their differences in life.
In relation to bayanihan, Lacwasan said in his opening remarks that bayanihan symbolizes the traditional Filipino values and way of life as it is made manifest when people come together to work for the common good without expecting something in return.
“We usually put this into practice during times of calamities and when a person or family is in distress. Through our program today, I hope that we will be reminded of this traditional value to help other people,” Lacwasan added.
Moreover, Dalog explained that the spirit of Bayanihan is inspired by other enduring Filipino values like malasakit, pagdadamayan, pakikipagkapwa-tao and kusang-palo.
Meanwhile, PBGen. Peredo shared that nationalism, bravery, and sacrifice were the key elements which led our ancestors towards national freedom and independence from the colonizers. Hence, these three characteristics/values he said must be maintained among everyone as they give meaning and importance to the country’s freedom and independence.
“As we commemorate this year’s Independence Day, let us also honor our modern-day heroes, our young leaders, faith-based volunteers, fathers and pastors, and our partners in peace and order who have been instrumental in our fight against any form of criminality including insurgency and illegal drugs in our province. It is worth stressing that they are the reason behind our freedom from the communist terrorist groups and illegal drugs.
Let us also honor our kakailiyans for their gallantry in fighting for the freedom of our province from the foreign invaders. We honor 1st Lieutenant Geronimo F. Montes, who led the troops to fight against the Japanese aggressors. It is fitting to honor them in recognition of their extraordinary acts, sacrifice and heroism,” Peredo subsequently said.
The program was officially closed with a song performed by Vice Governor Tauli where he highlighted the heroism of our ancestors which led us to the freedom we continue to enjoy and experience today.
The commemoration this morning was also attended by Board Members Johnson D. Bantog II, Ricardo M. Masidong, Jr., Tomas B. Tawagen and Jazzel-Mae P. Masidong; MP Police Provincial Office Provincial Director Police Colonel Sibly P. Dawiguey, Jr., who introduced PBGen. Peredo; NAPOLCOM-MP Provincial Director Atty. Agosto C. Libang; Department of Education MP Schools Division Superintendent Benilda Daytaca; Mountain Province State Polytechnic College President Edgar G. Cue; Peredo’s wife Grace Peredo and son, Gregory Peredo; personnel and officials from the provincial government, Philippine Army, Bureau of Fire Protection, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology and other national line agencies in the province.
