Church leader says voice of civilians crucial to achieving peace, order

Ozamiz Archbishop Martin S. Jumoad urged the people of Misamis Occidental to be vigilant against acts of criminalities in the province.

“Makab-ot lang nato ang kalinaw, kaayohan ug kalamboan kung dunay panaglambigit ug cooperation ang atong mga civilian. Ang kalinaw nagdependi gyud sa civilian. Mao nang dili maayo nga magpakahilom lang ta. (We can only attain peace, welfare and progression if there’s a unity among civilians. Peace really depends on civilians. That’s why it is not advisable to shut up),” Archbishop Jumoad said in a statement.

He also encouraged civilians to actively coordinate with the police authorities should they notice unusual activities being conducted that would possibly compromise peace and order in the province.

"I appeal to the civilians, people of goodwill. We need to cooperate with our men and women in uniform so that peace and order will remain in the province. (I am appealing to civilians, those people that have good heart. We need to help our men and women in uniform to sustain the peace and order in the province),” said Archbishop Jumoad.

“Ang panaghiusa ug pagtinabangay ug ang paglambigitay diin kita concern sa usat-usa maoy modala kanato sa kalamboan. (Unity and cooperation as well as the kind of relationships that we have care to each other will bring us to development),” he continued.

Archbishop Jumoad stressed the need to accept the results of democracy to maintain an orderly and peaceful province.

“Kung ikaw mapildi better try next time bahala na og ika 15 paka mapildi. Hinaot nga kita mga civilian o mga tao mo cooperate gyud sa mga police aron madakpan ang mo santa sa kalinaw nga atong nabatunan. (If you lose, better try next time even if you lose 15 times in running for a certain position. That’s why, we, civilians, the people should cooperate closely with the police officials so they can capture the destroyers of peace in our place),” he said.

The archbishop said democracy should be respected, emphasizing that a defeat won’t stop an individual from serving if he really wants to provide service to the people.

“Unsa man gyud ilang gusto? Kung gusto mo mopuli i-agi og election kay mao mana ang demokrasya. (What do they need? If they want to take over a position, they should join the elections because that’s a symbol of democracy.

Meanwhile, the archbishop underscored the significant improvements in the province despite recording untoward incidents in the past weeks.

He cited the unprecedented blasting incident involving the convoy vehicle of Governor Henry Oaminal on Oct. 15, luckily no one was hurt after the incident.

The church leader also condemned a separate bombing incident in front of the residence of Mayor Jun Villanueva—fortunately, there’s a coconut tree that perfectly blocked the bomb instead of being thrown directly in the mayor’s house.

Archbishop Jumoad said the province of Misamis Occidental has relevantly developed amid hearing some untoward instances that attempted to destroy peace and order.

Gapadulong na kita sa hamugaway apan adunay pundok nga buot mo tigaw sa atong naangkon nga kalinaw. (We are now heading to peace but some groups are trying to halt the peace that we have already achieved),” he said.

Sa katapusan maghugpong kita alang sa kalinaw. (We should work together for peace),” he underscored.(SN/PGMO)