AFP to pay tribute to artist killed in Bontoc mishap

MANILA, Philippines - The military is paying tribute to an artist who died in the bus mishap in Bontoc, Mountain Province last Friday.

Andrew David Sicam, 35, was one of the artists who led the painting of peace murals around Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.

The four-kilometer mural, which depicts scenes of soldiers and civilians working together to achieve lasting peace, is a candidate for the Guinness world record for longest peace mural.

Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc, chief of the Armed Forces 7th Civil Relations Group, said they have offered the spacious Civil Relations Service multi-purpose hall for Sicam’s wake.

"We wanted to honor David, who is one of those who created the images of peace that can be found on the walls of the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) headquarters,” Cabunoc said.

“This is our simple way of recognizing the lasting contributions that he had rendered to our organization through our peace advocacies," he added.

Sicam was taking his family to the Mountain Province to celebrate his youngest son’s birthday when the fatal bus accident happened.

The GV Florida Transport reportedly lost its breaks and fell off a ravine, killing Sicam and several others.

Sicam died but his wife and two children survived the accident, which triggered calls to boost efforts to ensure the road worthiness of buses. He reportedly shielded his four-year-old son Amian when the bus plunged into the ravine.

Sicam's remains were brought to Camp Aguinaldo by his relatives last Sunday at around 6:30 p.m.

Military officials said they would forever remember Sicam as one of the lead artists of the peace mural, which can be seen along EDSA Santolan, Boni Serrano Ave. and Corinthian Gardens. Because of his contribution to the peace mural, the military regards Sicam as “an instrument of peace” with “exceptional talent.”

About 1,500 artists, civilians and soldiers painted the peace mural, which surrounds the military’s main headquarters.

Before the mural’s completion, Camp Aguinaldo was surrounded with dusty white walls that were often targeted by militant groups who loved to decorate them with words like “imperialists,” and “fascists.”