Thousands Attend Serviamus Assembly In Mindanao; Army Brigadier Seeks Help For Refugees

The Serviamus Foundation is headed by Bishop Elenito Galido of the Diocese of Iligan City and Norma Gejon, the President and Executive Director. Also in the photo is Army Col. Benito de Leon.

ILIGAN CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Dec. 1, 2008) – Some 3,000 people gathered in Iligan City in Lanao del Norte province in the southern Philippines for the 11th General Assembly of the Serviamus Foundation Inc.

The weekend assembly, held at the gymnasium of the Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology, was successful with Serviamus vowing to continue its micro-financing programs to uplift and strengthen socio-economic condition of poor households in Mindanao through a quality innovative financial and other development services.

The foundation is headed by Bishop Elenito Galido of the Diocese of Iligan City and Norma Gejon, the President and Executive Director. The assembly highlighted the various local products from the Small Enterprise Development Program Project. Government and military officials and

Col. Benito de Leon, commander of the Army’s 104th Infantry Brigade, asked the Serviamus Foundation Inc., to also help the internally displaced persons (IDPS), particularly the Muslims, as a result of the August 18 attacks by Moro rebels in Lanao del Norte province.

In his speech before the assembly, De Leon said his soldiers are now also much involved in the return, resettlement, and reintegration of the IDPs in the province consistent with the International Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement as well as the implementing instructions of government leaders.

He noted, however, that many of the IDPs have lost the drive and the capacity to recover economically. He suggested a similar Small Enterprise Development Program be made by Serviamus to also benefit the IDPs.

“In being able to also extend your service to the IDPs, especially to the Muslims, this Foundation would have demonstrated firmly its full transformation from being church-based into a true NGO,” he said. (With a report from Merlyn Manos)

Army seeks support of Lanao religious leaders

Catholic Bishop Elenito Galido and Army brigadier Benito de Leon during their meeting Friday, November 7, 2008.

ILIGAN CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Nov. 7, 2008) - In a bid to secure support to dissipate the tensions of warring groups in Mindanao, an army commander met Friday with religious leaders of Lanao del Norte province for consultation on the prevailing security issues being instigated by some sectors to have cultural and religious undertones.

Col. Benito de Leon, of the 104th Infantry Brigade, met with Catholic Bishop Elenito Galido, of the Diocese of Iligan which covers Lanao del Norte province. Earlier this week, De Leon also had a similar meeting with Muslim religious leader, Aleem Elias Macarandas, at the Bishops-Ulama Office here.

Both Bishop Galido and Macarandas, who are members of the Bishops-Ulama Conference, welcomed the consultations as they were disturbed with the recent atrocities seemingly between Muslims and Christians, particularly in the town of Magsaysay.

On October 26, a group of Maranao residents were ambushed in Magsaysay town resulting to a number of casualties, and local militias called Ilaga, were being blamed for this violence. It was also alleged that this was the latest of a series of reprisals involving several groups in the area.

De Leon quickly deployed forces in the area to prevent further bloodshed. He said the 35th Infantry Battalion under Lt. Col. Jose Faustino also initiated dialogues with the local residents in an attempt to reach out to the conflicting parties and resolve their issues peacefully.

“Both religious leaders manifested continuing commitment to activities that promote peace and harmony among the Christians and Muslims,” De Leon said.

He also assured them that the military will give due protection to all citizens no matter their cultural or religious affiliations may be. (With a report from Merlyn Manos)