LAMITAN CITY — At least 500 children of the Citizen Armed Forces Geographical Unit coming from all over the province were honored by a non-government organization during their 9th founding anniversary, as part of their mission to heal the "childhood traumatic stress disorder" experienced by children of CAFGUs.

Dr. Arlyn Jawad Jumao-as, founder of the Save the Children of War Mindanao Association Incorporated on Sunday said that the activity was held on Saturday at the Lamitan City Gymnasium with this year's theme — "9th Children Festival of Love and Peace: CAFGU's  children."

Jumao-as, a medical practitioner in the city said their association is holding yearly the activity honoring the "children of wars" as part of their mission.

She added that the CAFGUs are the "unsung heroes"  in the provinces and country in general. They are left  out and not  recognized by most sectors including their contribution to the peace and stability of their community.

"Their children also experienced a childhood  traumatic stress disorder and need to be addressed by us in the medical profession with the help of the stakeholders in the community and  society," Jumao-as said.

She also hopes to open the eyes of political leaders in the province by recognizing and honoring them for their contribution to their respective community.

According to Jumao-as, there are about 2,500 CAFGUs registered in the entire Basilan province and they are just receiving a marginal monthly  allowance from the military for their services as para-military troops.

During the event, Jumao-as distributed to each child a bicycle, toys, slippers,  food, school supplies,  a sack of rice of 25 kilos and other gifts for children aged 6-13 years old.

Jumao-as said that since their inception in 2014, they have already served thousands of children in different places of mainland Basilan, its hinterland and its islands including the islands of Zamboanga City and the mountains of Talipao town in Sulu province.