This September, the AFP and DND commemorate the National Peace Consciousness Month (Photo from AFP’s Facebook Account/Taken by SN1 Donald Viluan PN).

The Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Department of National Defense are one with the Filipinos in commemorating the National Peace Consciousness Month observed every September by the virtue of Proclamation No. 657 series of 2004.

The celebration held last September 21 was led by Secretary of National Defense Voltaire Gazmin and AFP Chief of Staff General Hernando DCA Iriberri.

For this year, the observance is themed “Pagkakaisa Tungo sa Patuloy na Kapayapaan at Kaunlaran.”

The National Peace Consciousness commemoration coincides with the “International Day of Peace,” which is celebrated every 21st of September.

In a statement from AFP’s Peace Process Office, Brigadier General Buenaventura Pascual remarked that the organization ”reaffirms its Internal Peace and Security mission to ‘conduct support operations to Win the Peace in order to help the Filipino nation create an environment conducive for sustainable development and a just and lasting peace’.”

The Peace Process Office chief also urged every Filipino to work hand in hand “to secure peace” as the “AFP alone cannot solve the internal peace and security concerns of the country.”

Pascual furthermore reiterated that the organization will continue its vow to work with “various peace and security stakeholders in support of peace building and development in conflict-affected communities.”