AFP cancels Christmas parties at Camp Aguinaldo

MANILA, Philippines – It may well be a cheerless Christmas at Camp Aguinaldo.

On Tuesday, the military’s high command sent out word that it is cancelling its Christmas parties in sympathy to victims of typhoon Pablo (international name Bopha).

“In line with the presidential guidance on the subdued Christmas celebrations and in light with the devastation brought by typhoon Pablo, the Armed Forces of the Philippines is cancelling General Headquarters and Headquarters Service Command Christmas parties,” military spokesman Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos Jr. said.

“This is in solidarity with the victims, their families and our troops who are involved in the search, rescue and relief operations in Mindanao,” he said.

“In this way, our soldiers will celebrate Christmas in a way that is more relevant and sensitive to the needs of our people,” he added.

“What is important is we take in our hearts the real meaning of sharing, gift-giving and love in this Yuletide season.

Burgos said the cancellation of Christmas parties in other military camps is still being discussed.

Pablo’s onslaught ravaged parts of Visayas and Mindanao last week, claiming 714 lives and still rising with nearly 900 missing as of latest.