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Army troops join Arabic schools festival

By Edwin Fernandez

January 20, 2020, 6:47 pm

<p><strong>ARABIC SCHOOLS FEST.</strong> An Arabic school teacher speaks during the opening of the Maguindanao Provincial Arabic Schools Festival at Barangay Old Maganoy, Datu Abdullah Sangki, Maguindanao on Saturday (Jan.18, 2020). The annual festival aims to advance the advocacy in strengthening Madaris schools in Maguindanao.<em> (Photo courtesy of 2MIB)</em></p>

ARABIC SCHOOLS FEST. An Arabic school teacher speaks during the opening of the Maguindanao Provincial Arabic Schools Festival at Barangay Old Maganoy, Datu Abdullah Sangki, Maguindanao on Saturday (Jan.18, 2020). The annual festival aims to advance the advocacy in strengthening Madaris schools in Maguindanao. (Photo courtesy of 2MIB)

CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao – As part of its immersion with the local populace, the Army’s 2nd Mechanized Infantry Battalion (2MIB) participated in the opening of Maguindanao’s Provincial Arabic Schools Festival in Barangay Old Maganoy, Datu Abdullah Sangki, Maguindanao over the weekend.

In a statement on Monday, 2MIB said the annual school festival was organized by the local government of Datu Abdullah Sangki, an active partner of the Army unit, to further advance the advocacy in strengthening the Madaris schools in Maguindanao.

It also aims to promote Madaris, not only as a center for Arabic literacy but an institute for culture, sports, and values education, it added.

This year’s festival, anchored on the theme “Strengthening and Developing Madaris Schools through Culture and Sports", was attended by teachers and students of the different Madrasah campuses.

Aside from 2MIB troopers, also in attendance were local leaders of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), led by MILF 118th Base Command Commander Wahid Tundok.

In an interview by local reporters, Tundok lauded the Army for the great improvement of the peace and order situation in the area.

He also called on members of the outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) to abandon their armed struggle and return to the fold of law for a better and brighter future for the province.

“You see, Philippine soldiers and the MILF are working jointly to attain peace in our community. Be part of it. Come down,” Tundok said.

In a statement, Maj. Gen. Diosdado Carreon, the Army’s 6th Infantry Division commander, expressed gratitude to Tundok for helping bring about peace in Datu Abdullah Sangki, along with the Philippine Army.

Carreon also vowed to local leaders, especially Muslim religious leaders, that the military is ready to extend whatever is allowed by law to improve Madaris education in Maguindanao. (PNA)

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