DACET schools launch ‘Tabang Zambo’; appeal for resumption of peace talks

STO. TOMAS, Davao del Norte—Private catholic schools here under the auspices of the Diocesan Apostolate on Catholic Education of Tagum (DACET) have launched a relief operation which seeks to solicit funds and other in kind donations to address the basic needs of more than 110, 000 evacuees of Zamboanga siege.
Dubbed as “Tabang Zambo” (Help Zambo), the relief drive was a response of the Diocese of Tagum from the appeals of the local church officials in Zamboanga which calls for more financial and material aids for Zamboanga evacuees who were housed at Joaquin F. Enriquez Memorial Sports Complex due to intensified clashes between government forces and Moro rebels in Zamboanga City.
“The ongoing escalation of skirmishes between the state forces against the Moro rebels resulted to an unprecedented humanitarian crisis already as thousands have been displaced from their homes without anything to eat, wear and to use for their personal necessities,” Sr. Ma. Evelyn M. Oqueza, OP, Regional Superior of the Dominican Sisters of the Most Holy Rosary said in an interview.
Aside from the financial assistance, the relief operation aims also to collect used and unused clothing, medicines, canned and dry goods, toiletries such as soaps, sanitary napkins and other in-kind donations that will be used by the evacuees in their day to day activities.
Oqueza, in a statement, also appealed that both conflicting parties must return on the negotiating table to put an end in what she called a “godless and ruthless” war which claimed thousands of innocent lives of civilians.
Rev. Fr. Emerson Delos Reyes, DACET Schools Superintendent has also express solidarity with all the people in Zamboanga and Mindanao, saying that “only a continuing dialogue will resolve the present Zamboanga situation for us to attain lasting peace in the island of Mindanao.”
Delos Reyes said that private catholic schools in Davao Del Norte province shall serve as the drop stations of donations. He encouraged also members of the academic community such as parents, students as well as cause-oriented groups to extend any assistance they wish to give for the “Tabang Zambo” relief operations.
Meanwhile, the Davao Association of Catholic Schools has requested the DACET schools to organize collection of funds which will be sent to the Archdiocese of Zamboanga through a special bank account for this purpose.
In its meeting last September 13, 2013, the DACS Board of Trustees also calls on all member schools to hold a Mass for Peace for Zamboanga and Mindanao. The mass collections that will be collected will form part of the funds that will be donated to the Archdiocese of Zamboanga.
“In these times of despair and war, let our personal respect, love, sympathy, care and prayer for each other prevail at all times. Don’t allow anger, hatred and vengeance creep inside us and consumed our human nature,” stressed Delos Reyes. AUREL LARABASTER