Camp Allere, Salvador, Lanao del Norte - True to its mandate as protector of peace and the people, the 35th Infantry (MAKAMANDAG) Battalion, 1st Infantry (TABAK) Division, Philippine Army successfully organized and held a candle lighting activity dubbed as ‘Ilaw para sa Kapayapaan’ here on February 8, 2011.

Peace advocates coming from the local government units, religious sectors, non-government organizations and the Philippine National Police attended the event at Camp Allere, in the interior town of Salvador, this province.

The lighting of the symbolic candle was lead by Sultan Jhonny Tawantawan of Salvador and Lt. Col. Ferdinand S Razalan, 35IB Commanding Officer.

An inter-faith prayer was then offered by Imam Khalid Sendad, Grand Imam of Salvador and Fr. Aureo Patian, Salvador Parish Priest.

‘The candle when lit by people of goodwill serves the good  that is in us all,  it does  not detonate when ignited, rather, it illuminates our  surrounding and reposed our uncertainties in the darkness’ Lt. Col Razalan said during his speech.

The peace building activity was a simultaneous activity conducted in different regions and in all major army camps all over the country. This is also part of the peace advocacy initiated by the civil society groups and non-government organizations and other government agencies which was approved by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP).

The candle lighting activity’s core program was held at the Quezon City Memorial Circle where a simple ceremony highlighted by an interfaith prayer, ringing of the Peace Bell and flying of wish lanterns took place. Attended by President Benigno Aquino III, this simultaneous event has illustrated the desire and longing of the Filipino people to end the insurgency that the country has been experiencing for several decades.

With the triumphant conduct of the ‘Ilaw para sa Kapayapaan’ here in Lanao del Norte, it clearly manifested that the local government units and constituents of Lanao del Norte are strong allies of 35th IB in its endeavor to maintain the peace and security in the land of beauty and bounty.