Gat Andres Bonifacio to be honored in UP rites

In commemoration of the 152nd birth anniversary of Gat Andres Bonifacio, the Father of Citizen Soldiers, the Katipunan ng Mga Anak ng Bayang Pilipinas (KMAB),the department of military science and tactics of the University of the Philippines and the Reservist Commands of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (Army, Navy and Air Force) will mount a morning program on Nov. 30 at the University of the Philippines Diliman Campus, Quezon City where the Bonifacio Monument was transferred from Pugad Lawin in November 1968.

This is the second year that these combined groups are hosting this event whose theme is “Ulirang Mamamayang Laang Kawal Kabalikat sa Pag-unlad ng Bayan” (Model Citizen Soldiers, Partners in Nation-Building).

The program, dubbed “Bonifacio Day: Citizen Soldiers Day at UP” (Araw ni Bonifacio: Araw ng Mamamayang Laang Kawal sa UP) will kick off at 8 a.m. with a wreath laying at Bonifacio Monument and tribute to the hero to be led by UP president Alfredo Pascual, followed by the recitation of Bonifacio’s KKK Decalogue.

For the second time in Philippine history, the UP and the Armed Forces of the Philippines, particularly the CitizenSoldier-Reservists of the Army, Navy and Air Force, and the UPROTC will gather at UP to recognize and honor Bonifacio for his exemplary achievement as the patriotfounder of the KKK, the first truly organized army recruited from raw citizens in the country.

Rear Admiral Aurelio Rabusa Jr., deputy chief of staff for Reservists and Retiree Affairs, J9, AFP will be the guest speaker at the Gen. Luna parade grounds. Other highlights of the event are demonstrations of the Scout Ranger teams at the parade grounds and arnis exhibitions.

The KMAB is the civic organization of the Rainbow Ranger Soldier’s Program initiated by then Capt. (later Brig. Gen.) Benjamin Vallejo, then asst. commandant of UPDMST and the UP Vanguard, Inc, the association of UPROTC graduates. The program became known later as the Rainbow Home Defense Program in 1970 and those who performed the Ritual of Filial Piety, Honor, Valor, Humility and Tradition formed the KMAB, dubbed as “the second generation Alagad ni Bonifacio” by the Kapatiran ng Mga Alagad ni Bonifacio.

All reservist-volunteers of the SR and UW Training Course, Rainbow Ranger Sunday Soldiers Home Defense project, its civic organization, the KMAB and the special training programs of “ANAHAW,” are enjoined to attend the event.

For details, contact Ranger Capt AP Nacino, 0928-5054333.