Top officials of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) led thousands of people who braved the rains to join the first “Prayer for Peace Rally” held inside an Army camp.

The “Prayer for Peace Rally,” held Tuesday at the Philippine Army headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig, was participated in by thousands of people who share the same goal of attaining lasting peace and stability in the country.

Present in the Prayer for Peace Rally were Philippine Army Commanding General, Lt. Gen. Delfin Bangit; Philippine Navy Flag Officer-in-Command, Vice Admiral Ferdinand Golez; and Philippine Air Force Commanding General, Lt. Gen Oscar Rabena. Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Bayani Fernando also attended the event.

Army spokesman, Lt. Col. Arnulfo Burgos, Jr. said, “despite the heavy downpour, participants from the different sectors of society, including the youth, academe, business, workers, and the religious sector, joined the whole Filipino nation in the call for peace through this first rally of its kind ever conducted inside an Army camp.”

According to Burgos, the day-long activity took off with a dawn procession and was concluded by a concelebrated mass officiated by His Excellency Papal Nuncio Archbishop Edward Joseph Adams with military Bishop Leopoldo Tumulak as co-celebrant.

A cultural presentation from the participating schools, Philippine Army personnel, and the Philippine Army Officers Ladies Club also highlighted the day’s events.

“Likewise, the inaugural performance of the all-female silent drill company of the Philippine Army drew applause and admiration from the thousands of cheering audiences, who are mostly youth,” said Burgos.

“Sharing the same goal and aspiration – the attainment of a lasting peace and stability in the country – students, teachers, government officials, soldiers, police and civilians, unite in this significant event to pray and celebrate for peace.