Giant RP flag unfurled in N.Cotabato to support calls for peace

KIDAPAWAN CITY, Philippines – A giant Philippine flag was unfurled at the capitol grounds of the North Cotabato provincial government in Amas village here Tuesday. The flag - which weighed four tons and spans 1.85 hectares - was unfurled around 9 a.m. witnessed by some 3,000 spectators, including Church ministers and local government officials from 18 towns in North Cotabato. Senator Manuel Roxas II was also present during the event. M’lang Mayor Joselito Piñol said Tuesday's display of the giant flag in North Cotabato coincided with the date when it was first unfurled in Masada, Israel last year alongside the Israeli flag - which is now considered biggest in the world. Grace Gupana who was behind the creation of both the giant Israeli and Philippine flags said she spend some P40 million to create and transport the giant Philippine flag to North Cotabato. The giant Philippine flag arrived in M’lang town last November 19. Gupana said she decided that the flag be unfurled in North Cotabato in support of the call for peace in Mindanao. “North Cotabato is at the center of Mindanao, and as such, the place becomes a symbol of unity and peace," she told the crowd during the unfurling event. Those present in the event include members and officials of the Cotabato Ministers for Transformation and Peace, tribal leaders, and Moro leaders from different towns in North Cotabato, including former members of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). - Malu Cadelina Manar, GMANews.TV