MANILA — An estimated 2,000 civilians, reservists, police and military personnel participated in the simultaneous bloodletting activity at the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP) headquarters in Quezon City and various Unified Commands Saturday morning.
The event was spearheaded by the Dugong Alay, Dugtong Buhay Inc. (DADBI) in coordination with the AFP Peace and Development Office, AFP Reserve Command, PNP Peace Office and other stakeholders, military public affairs office chief Col. Edgard Arevalo said.
DADBI, a nongovernment organization, is chaired by its founder Napoleon Marilag, also an active partner of the AFP in previous blood-letting activities.
Saturday’s activity carried the theme, “Dugo Para Sa Kapayapaan”, which is in line with the celebration of National Peace Consciousness Month. Serving as guest-of-honor and speaker was Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana.
Arevalo said the project aims to help save lives by giving free and safe blood that would benefit the wounded government security forces fighting in Marawi and other victims of the crisis.
“One of the most crucial needs of our wounded soldiers, and most patients in all public and private hospitals, is blood. Which is why the AFP is very thankful for DADBI in initiating this event and for all the donors who have participated,” AFP chief-of-staff Gen. Eduardo Año said.
“Of course in this peace month, we are hoping that no one will have the need for blood. But this gesture alone manifests the recognition of our sacrifices and the risks involved in our duties in the uniformed services,” he added. (PNA)