Marawi soldiers get letters, chocolates from Boy Scouts
Boy Scouts make heart-shaped hand gestures to show their support for government troops fighting in Marawi in this photo provided by Westmincom. Inset shows two boys holding one of the cards given to soldiers on Tuesday.
MANILA, Philippines - At least 40 members of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines (BSP) in Zamboanga City have sent chocolates and letters of encouragement to soldiers fighting Maute militants in Marawi.
Boy Scouts from the Baliwasan Central School and Southcom Elementary School personally handed their gifts to Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr., Western Mindanao Command chief, at Camp Navarro on Tuesday.
The letters and chocolates were collected through the BSP’s “Muchisimias Gracias Por Tu Servicio” program, which was launched on June 28.
Jose Rizalino Ortega, BSP-Zamboanga chairman, said the program was meant not only to show the BSP’s appreciation for the services of government troops but also to start a nationwide advocacy of respect for “men and women whose patriotism, gallantry, and service to our country are beyond reproach.”
“We shall build a lasting attitude among Filipinos of extending a high level of courtesy to our men and women in uniform,” Ortega said.
Galvez thanked the BSP for its support and assistance. “I will personally bring these gifts and motivational art works to our soldiers in Marawi. This will surely bring renewed strength and vigor to them,” he said.
?“It is very heartwarming that at a young age, these boys already appreciate chivalry and patriotism. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you so much to the future leaders of our society,” Galvez said.
All-women unit
Meanwhile, an all-women unit of police and military personnel will be deployed in Marawi City to provide psychosocial intervention to residents affected in the fighting between government troops and Maute militants, Col. Edgard Arevalo, Armed Forces of the Philippines public affairs office chief, said.
Arevalo said the “all-girls” team, which is composed of 40 soldiers and 60 police personnel, are undergoing training before their deployment on Aug. 29.
He said the deployment of an all-female unit will give a feminine touch in reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts in the city. Only a handful of women soldiers are currently engaged in operations in Marawi. – With Jaime Laude
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