AMID festivities in Misamis Occidental as it celebrates the Perangat Festival, provincial leaders and church officials urged the people to work together in achieving peace in the province.
At the Perangat Festival, Vice Governor Rowena Gutierrez, on behalf of Gov. Henry Oaminal, addressed Misamisnons and highlighted the need to “keep our determination, support one another, and endeavor to further the development of our beloved province.”
Gutierrez recounted the night when her husband, Lopez Jaena town mayor Michael Gutierrez, was assassinated during a Christmas celebration almost two years before an attempt was made on the life of Oaminal using an improvised explosive device (IED).
Barely a month on the attempted killing of Oaminal, radio broadcaster Juan Jumalon, known as ‘Johnny Walker,’ was fatally shot in the middle of his live Facebook broadcast.
Gutierrez said the violent incidents were attempts to “divide and terrify us.”
“But in truth, their actions [only] bolstered our spirits and promoted our unit because we are stronger as a people,” she said.
Ozamiz City Archbishop Martin Jumoad, who officiated the mass wedding of 201 couples during the Kasalan sa Kapitolyo as part of the festivities, called for public vigilance against crimes.
“We can only attain peace, welfare and progression if there’s unity among civilians. Peace really depends on civilians. That’s why it is not advisable to shut up,” said Jumoad.
He also encouraged civilians to actively coordinate with the police if they notice suspicious activities.
“I appeal to the civilians, people of goodwill. We need to cooperate with our men and women in uniform so that peace and order will remain in the province. Unity and cooperation as well as the kind of relationships that we have to care for each other will bring us to development,” he added.
The archbishop also stressed that the results of the October 30 Barangay and Sanggunian Kabataan Elections (BSKE) must be accepted to maintain order and peace in the province.
Rather than resorting to illegal means, Jumoad said “it’s better to try and lose 15 times in running for a certain position.”
In a statement, Oaminal encouraged the people to “defy the efforts of criminal elements to hamper the spirit of Misamis Occidental’s anniversary celebration.”
“Let us remain a united community and stay on the path of progress of our 5Ms,” he said, referring to the 5M advocacy of the provincial government,
The 5M stands for Misamisnon Magpuyong Malinawon, Malambuon ug Malipayon (Misamisnon Live Peaceful, Prosperous and Happy). It is the development thrust for Misamis Occidental.
Different groups from all over the province participated in the Perangat Festival, a thanksgiving celebration, and competed in the program’s dance competition with a cash prize of P5 million.
