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Monday, March 17, 2003
Davao celebrates peaceful founding day
By Ben O. Tesiorna
DAVAO -- It may not have attracted a teeming crowd this year but the 66th Araw ng Dabaw celebration was still successful in that it showed the world that Dabawenyos were united in its stand against terrorism.
Alfonso Aboitiz, a member of the Araw ng Dabaw executive committee, said despite the Davao International Airport bombing last March 4, the spirit of revelry went unperturbed this year.
"This might be one of the most special celebrations that we had because of the circumstances that we find ourselves in. We really had the chance to show the nation that Davao is very united and in that aspect it is very, very successful," he said.
Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte deployed over 200 members of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) to help secure the city during its founding anniversary celebration Sunday.
Aboitiz said there was a diminished number that witnessed the parade Sunday since more people opted to stay at home and watch the event on television.
For Dabawenyos, the March for Peace attended by about 70,000 last March 14 was a show of force, to stress they can hurdle just about anything that gets on their way, he added.
"I think the most unexpected thing about this year's celebration was the peace march. It really showed our unity and willingness to work together and make things successful," he said.
Thousands of policemen and military personnel were at hand to secure all the areas where activities of the city's founding anniversary were held.
Duterte also tapped the help of the MNLF, whose MNLF Special Regional Security Force-Davao City commander, Umar Ambit, said they patrolled the Rizal Park and nearby vicinities during the celebration.
The mayor earlier said he was optimistic the MNLF could help solve the airport bombing.
He even suggested the release of former MNLF chairman Nur Misuari, who is detained in Sta. Rosa, Laguna, saying the detained Muslim leader could help in finding the culprits. With JDV/Sun.Star Davao |
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