– Philippine National Police (PNP) Civil Relations Company (CRC) before she was deployed to Marawi City earlier today, Tuesday, August 29, 2017 at the Villamor Air Base, Pasay City.
This is the first field assignment for Abo-Abo, Tausug, 24, who has been serving in Army for four months now. For her, it is a dream come true to be able to help her fellow Filipinos through her deployment in Marawi. Abo-Abo is just one of the 100 female soldiers and policewomen who are honored to form part of the Joint AFP-PNP CRC.
These women were trained in Psycho Social Intervention and Peace Education to assist in the implementation of programs to help the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the Marawi.
“The AFP-PNP joint mission is now a part of history, now a big part of herstory, and it has been an honor Teach Peace, Build Peace, to be a partner in helping educate the female soldiers and police women to be peace educators,” said Bai Rohaniza Sumndad-Usman, the founder of Teach Peace, Build Peace Movement, during the send off ceremony.
PO1 Juhayrah B. Arato, Maranao and is one of the affected people of the Marawi Rebellion, ready to go back home to assist the IDPs in their rehabilitation. (Photo by Vino Lozano)
Respect and unity
The Joint AFP-PNP CRC comprises Muslim and Christian members showing that respect and unity regardless the difference in cultural and religious orientation can prevail.
“Masarap para sa feeling na nagtutulungan tayong lahat,” says Police Officer 1 Juhayrah B. Arato, also a member of the CRC. She is Muslim and has been serving in the Philippine National Police for 6 years now.
“Galing din akong Marawi, kasama ako sa mga biktima noon. Pero masaya ako ngayon na maging bahagi ng rehabilitation program,” Arato shared.
Coming from Marawi City itself, Arato had a firsthand experience on the plight of the IDPs. “Kailangan tayo ng mga bata ngayon,” she stressed as she highlights the importance of the CRC in the ongoing effort to address the crisis in Marawi.
“Karamihan ng mga biktima sa Marawi ay mga kababaihan, kabataan at mga bata, kaya mas maiintindihan ng mga myembro ng Civil Relation Company ang kanilang kalagayan” said Chief of the Staff Armed Forces of the Philippines General Eduardo M. Año in his speech during the send off ceremony.
“Ibigay ninyo ang abo’t ng inyong makakaya upang maging matagumpay kayo sa lahat ng tatahaking hakbang” Año said to the female soldiers and non-commission police officers.#
Joint AFP-PNP CRC in their formation during their send off ceremony #
Bai Rohaniza Sumndad-Usman, the founder of Teach Peace, Build Peace Movement, delivers her message during the the send off ceremony.#
Chief of the Staff Armed Forces of the Philippines General Eduardo M. Año addressing the members of the Joint AFP-PNP CRC.#