KALAMANSIG, Sultan Kudarat — In a vibrant and heartfelt gathering, the 37th Infantry “Conqueror” Battalion marked its 49th Founding Anniversary by celebrating “Friends Rescued (FR) Family Day” on April 14, 2025. The event became a living testament to the growing success of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) and its whole-of-nation approach, which continues to pave the way for peaceful and insurgency-free communities.
A total of 113 Former Rebels (FRs) along with their families came together at the 37IB headquarters to participate in the day-long celebration, which featured fun-filled activities, symbolic ceremonies, and government support services designed to strengthen the bonds of reconciliation and transformation.
The event was spearheaded by the Conqueror Troopers under the leadership of LTC Christopherson M. Capuyan INF (GSC) PA, in collaboration with various local and provincial government agencies.
A series of activities were prepared to mark the occasion, including parlor games for children, inspirational messages from government officials, the reaffirmation of allegiance to the Philippine Government, a unity rally denouncing the New People’s Army (NPA), the organization of a People’s Organization composed entirely of former rebels from Kalamansig, and the distribution of hygiene kits, food packs, and medical assistance courtesy of the local governments of Kalamansig and Palimbang.
The event was also graced by key figures such as MGEN Edgardo Y. De Leon (Ret.), Regional Peace Adviser for Peace and Security, OPAPRU, and representatives from various government agencies, including the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO), Sultan Kudarat’s E-CLIP program, and the Municipal Task Force ELCAC focal persons from Kalamansig and Palimbang. The presence of security forces from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine National Police, and the Philippine Coast Guard further highlighted the collective commitment to sustaining peace in the region.
In his message, MGEN De Leon underscored the importance of this initiative as a clear reflection of the whole-of-nation approach at work. He praised the strong collaboration among the military, local government units, and civil society groups that continue to foster genuine peace and sustainable development in Sultan Kudarat — long considered one of Mindanao’s most conflict-affected areas.
LTC Capuyan also expressed deep gratitude for the unwavering support from government agencies and partners. He emphasized that the event not only symbolizes the government’s commitment to reconciliation but also showcases the FRs’ courageous journey back into mainstream society.
The highlight of the celebration was a solemn and symbolic burning of the rebel flags and placards — a powerful gesture marking the FRs’ full renunciation of armed struggle and their embrace of a new life rooted in peace, unity, and hope. The ceremony signaled the closing of a dark chapter and the dawn of a brighter, insurgency-free future for the former rebels and their communities.
The success of the FR Family Day and the ongoing transformation of former combatants in Sultan Kudarat stand as inspiring proof of the NTF-ELCAC program’s mission: to end local armed conflicts and ensure that no Filipino is left behind on the path to peace and national progress.