69 IP youths complete leadership summit

AROUND 69 lumad youth leaders have completed a leadership summit organized by the military and a non-government youth organization to prevent them from being recruited by any terror group in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon early this week.

The military said the 69 Indigenous People (IP) youth leaders came from Barangays St. Peter, Zamboangita, Indalasa, Kulaman, Busdi, Mapulo, and Caburacanan in Malaybalay City.

The two-day Youth Leadership Summit aims to boost their confidence, develop critical thinking, improve social skills, strengthen their faith and develop patriotism for the country.

This is made through various activities which tested their physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual capacity.

The Propelling Our Inherited Nation Through Youth (POINTY) Inc., Bukidnon, an NGO peace advocates together with the 8th Infantry Battalion (8IB), facilitated the activities with the support of City Government of Malaybalay and teachers of the school where the summit was held.

The military said the summit also educated the youth on the “deceptions of left-leaning organizations to force them to join and use them for their own interest.”

Before the summit ended, the participants presented their plans on how to encourage active participation in their respective community.

8IB Commander Lieutenant Colonel Ronald Illana said the military will always support this initiative from the youth sector.

“Someday, they will become the next leaders, the hope of our nation. This kind of initiative from our youth organizations encourage the youth in active participation with important activities and decisions in the community,” Illana said.