903rd Brigade celebrates 113th Independence Day in Sorsogon City

           The 903^rd Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army celebrated the 113rd Philippine Independence with a photo exhibit and static display of its military vehicles and weapons at Freedom Park in Sorsogon City on 11-12 June 2011. A motorcade on Saturday morning involving several military trucks and armored vehicles around adjoining municipalities of the city generated public interest to the Army affair.

            The celebration was made to highlight the readiness of the military to defend the sovereignty of the country against all external and internal threats. This was also an opportunity for the public to interact with the soldier and understand him better.

              This comes at a time when the Armed Forces of the Philippines had gained momentum for the implementation of OPLAN “Bayanihan” which calls for a multi-sectoral approach to peace and security. The primary focus in the conduct of military operations is now “Winning the Peace” and not just defeating the enemy. The New People’s Army will be rendered irrelevant by addressing the root causes of insurgency with the help of the stakeholders in the community. Without any major issue to exploit, they could no longer mislead the public into supporting their movement.

            Sorsogon Governor Raul Lee and Col Felix Castro Jr, the 903rd Brigade Commander, led the flag raising ceremony on June 12 which was attended by government employees, police, firemen and women, and the soldiers. After the ceremony, a team from the 3^rd Special Forces Company gave a demonstration of their capability. Garbed in their tiger suit and bearing special weapons, they were a hit among the public and municipal employees who took turns having their pictures taken with the soldiers.

But what generated the most response from the audience was the dance number from soldiers of the 3SFCompany who performed gamely to the tune of “Waka Waka”. It showed the human side of the soldier.

Judging from the turn-out of viewers and positive feedback, the soldiers gained more than what they expected from the activity. Hopefully, this will result to more support from the people they have sworn to protect.