16 former NPA couples exchange 'I Dos' in army's free wedding

HUSBAND AND WIFE. At least 16 IP couples from San Mariano town join the free mass wedding organized by the 95th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army in partnership with the Local Government Unit of San Mariano held on feruary 24, 2021. The mass wedding aims to legitimize live-in partnerships and help provide these couples a marriage contract, which is a requirement when their children attend school.

CITY OF ILAGAN, Isabela, March 1 (PIA) - At least 16 Indigenous Peoples (IP) couples who were former rebels in San Mariano town have joined the free mass wedding of the Philippine Army (PA).

The mass wedding which was organized by the 95th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army in partnership with the Local Government Unit of San Mariano and  National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) legalized the relationship of the  IP couples who belonged to the Agta, Kalinga, Ibanag and Ayangan tribes.

Lt. Col. Lemuel Baduya, 95IB commander said the couples who were former rebels  decided to surrender to the folds of law  decided to get married to legalize their union as husband and wife.

The free mass wedding was held last February 24, 2021 at the San Mariano Community Center and witnessed by army officials from the 95IB, LGU San Mariano, NCIP Isabela San Mariano Service Center, Local Civil Registrar of San Mariano, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) , Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Isabela. (MDCT/BME/MGE/PIA 2-Isabela) 

Source: Philippines Information Agency (pia.gov.ph)