Peace on the frontlines and at home; Our men in uniform juggle duty to country and family

CHRISTMAS is the time of year when family and friends especially miss those who are away. Some families are blessed enough to get to see their military and/or police service family members for the holiday. Others are not as privileged.

Soldiers and policemen who choose to put their lives on the line to keep our country safe need to stay stationed and ready even during the holidays.  No matter where they are, we pray for their safety and we thank them for their commitment to our country’s freedom and integrity.

They are the reason we have a peaceful and happy holiday. We will always be thankful for their hard work for making this part of the world a better place.

Keeping our country peaceful and orderly is a tough job. But our men in uniform never lose hope.

“Hope for a peaceful country, a safe environment – these will be realized if the rebels will return to the fold of the law. No more killing and fighting. Instead, let’s embrace one another, and not only during Christmas but all the time,” says Major General Benedict Arevalo, commander of the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) based in Jamindan, Capiz.

But government troops couldn’t achieve this by their lonesome. He says people must continue supporting the government forces.

“We don’t want war. We don’t want to kill. But we have the responsibility to defend our country. ‘Yan ang sinumpaan namin,” says Arevalo.

No, they’re not killing machines.

“Masakit sa loob naming mga sundalo na Pinoy against Pinoy nagpapatayan. Sana tayo ay magmahalan,” he stresses.   

THE SOLDIER IS A FAMILY MAN, TOO

Indeed, behind the steely exterior of our men in uniform are gentle souls. Juggling their duty to country and family tests their resolve.

For Major General Benedict Arevalo, a native of Baguio City and a graduate of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class 1990, this year is particularly challenging. He lost his 25-year-old son to coronavirus virus disease six months ago.

“I don’t know how to celebrate this Christmas…This will be my first time celebrating it without him, we are not complete,” he says, referring to his wife and 20-year-old daughter.

A grizzled father used to battling enemies on the frontlines has lost a son to a different kind of war.

“Masakit talaga. We seldom celebrate Christmas and other special occasions as a family due to the nature of my job. I’ve been wishing na sana this Christmas we could celebrate as a complete family kahit ilang araw lang. Pero wala na sya,” says the Army general.

But he chooses to deal with the situation like a true soldier.

“It’s really hard for us to accept but we have to face this,” he says, and his family continues to count their blessings. They actually greet one another “Blessed Christmas” and not “Merry Christmas.”

They may not be as happy as in previous Christmases, “But we will survive this. Kaya namin ito,” he says like a true warrior for after all, his father and four brothers were also PMAers. 

FOR LOVE OF COUNTRY

Men in uniform are on call all the time. That’s the nature of the job.

“We may be physically present with our families but we also think of our men in the field, our jobs and our responsibilities,” says Arevalo, who will retire on March 2023.

For the most part, he spent his military career in Western Visayas promoting peace and order with government troops, Christmas or not.

After graduating from the PMA, his first assignment was the 3ID. He served as an instructor in the division training unit. He also trained as a Scout Ranger.

Arevalo’s first “test mission” was sometime in 1991 in San Remigio, Antique – an encounter with New People’s Army rebels.

He had been assigned, too, at the 301st Brigade based in Camp Hernandez, Dingle, Iloilo (1993-1994) as Brigade Staff and promoted to brigade commander of the same unit years after (2018).

In the 1990s, he had stints in Mindanao and Luzon, and also took up advance trainings in Indonesia.

Arevalo also took the Strategic Human Resource Management Course and Program for Development Managers Course both at the Asian Institute of Management in Makati City.
His prowess in military operations made him a recipient of numerous awards and decorations. 

He was awarded two Distinguished Service Stars, two Bronze Cross Medals, several Military Merit Medals, a dozen of which were with Bronze Spearhead Devices.

TO SERVE AND PROTECT
“Habang nabubuhay tayo na nagmamahalan at may kooperasyon sa isa’t isa, nandiyan ang pag–asa,” says Police Brigadier General Flynn Dongbo, director of the Police Regional Office 6. 

To serve and protect the people is the Philippine National Police’s reason for being, and for the good general, this is not just a mission but a commitment, Christmas or not.

“Hangad ng inyong pulis na maging mapayapa ang ating bansa at maproteksyonan kayo sa kapahamakan,” he says.

General Dongbo is also a native of Baguio City and a classmate of General Arevalo at the PMA. His other avowed task is to make his men better guardians of the people.

When he assumed the directorship of the Police Regional Office 6, he made it clear that he wanted policemen to be models of integrity and discipline.

To those involved in illegal activities, he said, it’s not yet too late to change for the better. There is always hope.

He prays that lawless elements and drug personalities will change for the better.

But how does he manage work and family life?

General Dongbo is a father of two boys who, with their mother, are based in Pampanga.

Getting together during special occasions like Christmas and New Year is a challenge, he admits.

Thankfully, modern technology comes in handy. Video calls make the wide distance between them a little closer.

“It’s really difficult to be away from your family but I’m a police officer,” he says.

When his assignments were closer to home, he would often go home.

Before his Region 6 assignment, General Dongbo had stints in Samar, Region 3 (among other areas in Luzon) and the PNP national headquarters.

He had also been a chief of the Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group of the PNP.

All those years entailed balancing his duty to his country and his duty to his wife and sons.

Truly, it takes extraordinary character to be a man in uniform and to be a family man. Thus, to our policemen and soldiers, we pray that this holiday season will revitalize your courage and strength as you celebrate the birth of our Lord with joy and hope.

Your bravery is already a gift. Thank you for your service. Your selfless acts have given us the opportunity to celebrate these festive days. Know that our prayers and thoughts are with you at all times. Be safe and may you have a very merry Christmas./PN