No Christmas break for soldiers in typhoon-hit areas

MANILA, Philippines - Soldiers in typhoon-ravaged areas of New Bataan in Compostela Valley had a simple boodle fight as their way of celebrating Christmas while rendering duty in the ongoing relief and rehabilitation operations.

“Despite of what happened, Christmas will always be around for the soldiers to celebrate in group or individually, especially those who are in dire need of our help,” Maj. Gen. Ariel Bernardo, 10th Infantry Division commander, said.

As his Christmas gift, Bernardo allowed the troops to take the yearly Christmas and New Year furloughs on a rotation basis. Soldiers have the option to spend the holidays with their respective families either on Christmas or New Year’s Day.

Soldiers granted Christmas passes are required to report back to duty to relieve their colleagues who would be taking the New Year’s break.

The boodle fight, a military tradition that aims to further foster unity and solidarity especially among the troops who are in a difficult situation, was recently held at the makeshift battalion headquarters of the 66th Infantry Battalion under the command of Lt. Col. Antonino Florendo.

Rallying his men — 40 per cent of whom hail from the Visayas — who checked-in in their muddy uniforms from their retrieval duties to join the Christmas party, Florendo proceeded to extoll them to rise above the challenges by doing their duty to the people sincerely and faithfully.

Pray for victims’ recovery — Binay

Vice President Jejomar Binay urged Filipinos yesterday to pray for the recovery of the typhoon victims.

In his Christmas message, Binay asked the people to use the spirit of giving brought by Christmas in helping out those who are in need.       

Sulu sends relief for typhoon victims

While it used to be a perennial recipient of relief due to strife spawned by the Abu Sayyaf militants, Sulu showed it could extend help to the needy when it transported relief goods for “Pablo” victims.

Sulu governor Sakur Tan said his constituents realized that there are other people who need immediate assistance, and so they decided to give whatever they could share.

“My wife and I were overwhelmed by the action of our constituents to pour in their support for the people affected by the typhoon,” Tan said.

Hadja Nurunisah Tan, the first lady of Sulu, immediately facilitated the transport of the relief goods, which consisted of boxes of noodles, sardines, medicine, plastic mats, clothing, sacks of rice and other basic necessities.

The relief goods were transported by the Naval Forces Western Mindanao and coursed through the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for distribution in Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley.

The DSWD has provided Family Access Cards (FACs) to typhoon victims in Davao to ensure fair distribution of relief goods.

Aside from allowing for a more effective distribution, the access cards will also help the DSWD determine the kind of assistance to be provided to each family. – With Helen Flores, Ric Sapnu, Rodel Clapano, Roel Pareño