AFP, DND cancel Christmas party

MANILA, Philippines - The military and the Department of National Defense (DND) on Tuesday canceled their Christmas parties to show sympathy to the victims of typhoon Pablo.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesman Col. Arnulfo Burgos Jr. said the move was also intended to express their solidarity with soldiers involved in rescue operations.

“In light with the devastation brought by typhoon Pablo, the AFP is canceling General Headquarters and Headquarters Support Command Christmas parties. This is in solidarity with the victims, their families and our troops who are involved in the search, rescue and relief operations,” he said.

“Our soldiers will celebrate Christmas in a way that is more relevant and sensitive to the needs of our people. what is more important is we take in our hearts the real meaning of sharing, gift-giving and love in this his Yuletide season.”

Also canceled was the joint Christmas party of the AFP and the Department of National Defense (DND), which was supposed to be held in Camp Aguinaldo.

The joint AFP-DND “Christmas Fellowship” was supposed to be held on Tuesday at the Daza Park Pavilion in the military’s main headquarters.

The DND also scrapped its Christmas party which was scheduled on Dec. 21 so its personnel can concentrate on relief efforts.

The military is still discussing whether to order field units to call off their respective Christmas parties.

Some Army units, however, opted to spread holiday cheers to people in their area of responsibility.

The Army’s 36th battalion and the GMA Kapuso Foundation distributed over the weekend Noche Buena package to members of indigenous tribes in San Miguel, Surigao del Sur.

The gift-giving was made possible by the efforts of local officials led by Gov. Jhonny Pimentel and civil society groups.

Cpt. Rowel Caacbay, civil-military operations officer of the 36th battalion, said 1,632 gift packages had been distributed to local residents.