Date Published: May 18, 2024

𝘼 𝘽𝙚𝙖𝙘𝙤𝙣 𝙤𝙛 𝙃𝙤𝙥𝙚: 𝙈𝙋 𝙁𝙧𝙤𝙞𝙡𝙮𝙣 𝙏𝙚𝙣𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙤 𝙈𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙤𝙯𝙖'𝙨 𝙍𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙚𝙛 𝙄𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙄𝘿𝙋𝙨 𝘼𝙢𝙞𝙙𝙨𝙩 𝘼𝙧𝙢𝙚𝙙 𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙛𝙡𝙞𝙘𝙩

In the wake of the recent armed conflict at Sitio Tubaran and Sitio Mamaan in Barangay Labungan, Datu Odin Sinsuat Municipality, the office of MP Froilyn Tenorio Mendoza, in collaboration with Bangsamoro Readi and various units of Security Sectors, conducted a relief assistance operation for the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) on April 9, 2024. The event commenced with an invocation led by Kag. Juliet Julio, followed by a warm welcome from Engr. Murad Campong, Punong Barangay of Brgy. Labungan. MP Mendoza, in her rationale, expressed her gratitude towards the BLGU of Barangay Labungan for their partnership in this initiative. MP Mendoza acknowledged the challenges faced by the IDPs and voiced her hopes for the transformation of the camps, specifically Camp Bader and Camp Omar, into "productive communities". Despite the daunting challenges, she remained optimistic about achieving this goal with the assistance of the security sectors and various agencies. During her speech, MP Mendoza engaged with a non-Moro Indigenous People (NMIP) IDP, asking, "Mapanatag gomen dafo bleewe?" (Are you safe now?). The NMIP IDP woman responded, "mas masaya gey në ënggito gey uwëni dëmyaga begey bëbëni gërigonon" (We are happier because we see that someone is watching over us in this happening), illustrating the positive impact of the relief efforts on the IDPs. MP Mendoza further discussed the importance of collaboration with various humanitarian organizations and the necessity for short-term and long-term support. She stressed on the need for future dialogues to identify the root causes of the armed conflict and to hear the voices of the people while providing continuous support to the IDPs. In response to the current El Niño, MP Mendoza coordinated with Bangsamoro Readi to provide additional assistance. She highlighted the various challenges faced in delivering humanitarian aid, particularly the need to observe proper protocols which can sometimes cause delays. Nevertheless, to expedite the process, MP Mendoza utilized her personal capacity to address the immediate concerns of the NMIP communities in Barangay Labungan. Several messages of support were also delivered during the event. 2LT Justine Renee Y Duco (Army) PA, Signal Officer, representative of Battalion Commander Jerome Peñalosa of 2nd Mechanized Infantry Battalion, reassured the community of their protection during times of conflict. 2LT Jayson T Escalio (Infantry) PA Alphacoy6IB, expressed his sympathy and hope for the IDPs, promising that the relief assistance symbolized the IDPs' ability to rise again. He assured the community that they would continue their duty to secure the area and its residents. 1LT Kristian Medenilla (Inf) PA EX-O, 62 DRC, pledged to do their best in securing the lives and properties of the NMIP IDPs. This relief operation stands as a testament to the collective efforts of government officials, security sectors, and humanitarian organizations in providing aid and protection to those affected by armed conflict. It underscores the importance of unity and cooperation in overcoming challenges and rebuilding communities.