101st brigade chief cites media’s role in peace and development

By Franklin P. Gumapon

DIPOLOG CITY – “I have recognized the importance of media in security and in realizing our common aspiration for freedom.”

This was the opening statement of Col. Jesus A. Manaquil Jr., commanding officer of the Philippine Army’s 101^st Brigade, as he addressed the officers and members of the Zamboanga del Norte Press Club (ZNPC) during the club’s 50^th induction and oath-taking ceremonies held at the Top Pensionne here recently.

Col. Mananquil, who talked on the theme, “The role of the press in the roadmap for peace,” said: “The press exists to serve the people’s right to know.” He then emphasized that the army and the media are valuable partners in the “Bayanihan” campaign to bring about a peaceful environment conducive for economic progress and development.

Because of the media’s crucial role in peace and security, Mananquil immediately reorganized the 101^st Brigade Defense Press Corps when he assumed as brigade’s commanding officer a few months ago.

The 101^st Defense Press Corps is composed of media practitioners from the provinces of Zamboanga del Norte and Misamis Occidental.

On the other hand, Mr. Lorenzo Aseniero II, new ZNPC president, has vowed to make the club more relevant by living up to the expectations of his fellow officers and members.

It can be recalled that club has been known for its project, the annual campus journalism seminar, which is given to the high schools students in Zamboanga del Norte including the two cities of Dipolog and Dapitan for free. This project seeks to hone the writing and broadcasting skills of budding campus writers. As a result, a number of campus journalists from the province have won awards in both regional and national schools press conferences.