IN A bid to bolster peace-building efforts in the region, Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) chief Major General Luis Rex Bergante led the opening ceremony of the Former Rebel Summit 2024 at the 60th Infantry Battalion Headquarters in Camp Morgia on June 27.
Major Ruben Gadut, the 10th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office chief, said the summit gathered 150 former rebels from Davao del Norte and Agusan del Sur for focused-group discussions on fostering unity and development.
During his keynote address, Bergante emphasized the importance of acquiring essential life skills and completing formal education for successful reintegration into society.
He particularly addressed the youth, stressing that education is a key tool for personal and societal growth.
“We have engaged in conflict for too long; it’s time to unite,” Bergante urged the former rebels. “Let us think about how we can contribute to our government and build a brighter future together.”
The summit was co-led by Jeffrey Calamongay, assistant department head of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office, and Arian Jane Ramos, president of Kalinaw Southeastern Mindanao (SEMR), signifying a collaborative approach towards sustainable peace.
Notable figures at the event included Major General Allan D. Hambala, commander of the 10th Infantry Division, and other high-ranking military officials.
The summit underscored the government’s commitment to fostering unity and development in areas formerly affected by conflict.
