Anad initiates fun run to benefit rebel returnees

CEBU, Philippines - Around 300 rebel returnees in Cebu, Bohol and Leyte will benefit from the proceeds raised during a fun run initiated by the Alliance for Nationalism and Democracy (Anad) Partylist in Cebu City on September 23.

Anad Partylist Rep. Pastor Alcover Jr. announced this yesterday during the launching of the activity dubbed as “A Run for Freedom and Democracy.”

“It is fitting to hold the activity to instill in our people the need to sustain the campaign for the benefit of rebel returnees and victims of insurgency and terrorism,” Alcover said.

Alcover said that the activity, in coordination with the National Alliance for Democracy and Freedom Foundation Inc. (NADFFI), will be the second after the first run in Pangasinan where more than 4,000 participated a few years ago.

Event coordinator Joel Baring said they are expecting more participants to this activity considering the security of the route which is the South Road Properties that will start and end at Plaza Independencia.

Assembly time is at 4:00 in the morning and will start at 5:30 in the morning. The activity includes the categories of 3K, 6K and 12K with a minimal fee of P300 to cover the cost of shirt, bib, and snacks for the participants. Prizes will be given to the winners of the three categories.

Baring said that security for runners are provided and the sea breeze early in the morning could further entice participants.

Alcover explained that the government lacks support to sustain the livelihood assistance it has provided to rebel returnees prompting some to go back to the mountains and for others to resort to criminal activities.

He is planning to file a bill creating an agency that will focus on rebel returnees.

“Anad is helping our brother Filipinos who returned to the fold of law. We are asking the help of the community to participate in this Run for Democracy,” he said.

Alcover also stressed the need for a healthy society as the pro-democracy alliance moves ahead with its advocacy of protecting and preserving our freedom and democracy.

“Through this activity, we shall be able to send a message to the freedom and peace-loving Filipinos, particularly the Cebuanos, to renew and rekindle their love and effort to preserve and protect our community from the unrelenting violence wrought by the proponents of a godless ideology and inhumanity that has already cost so much damage to the Filipino people in the past 43 years and still going,” Alcover added.

Anad Partylist Chief of Staff, Baltaire Balangauan said that they are inviting some politicians, military and police officials and personnel to attend the activity.  (FREEMAN)