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Soldiers undergo IP cultural sensitivity awareness

Soldiers undergo IP cultural sensitivity awareness P ovincial News

By 1Lt. Percival Carido

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TALACOGON, Agusan del Sur - Prior to their deployment, the Community Support Program (CSP) Team of the Philippine Army has undergone series of lectures regarding the native’s customs and traditions in the area of operation, held recently at the 26th Infantry “Ever Onward” Battalion (26IB) Headquarters. February 1-7, 2020 Caraga Infocus 24

Carlos M. Otacan, alias Datu Balobagyo, the Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative (IPMR) of Esperanza, Agusan del Sur, together with other IP leaders actively joined in the said activity. Otacan discussed briefly the Indigenous People’s Rights Act (IPRA) laws while the other tribal leaders discussed the different customs and traditions of their respective tribes namely Manobo, Higaonon, and Banwaon, among others.

“Respect begets respect. If you respect the natives’ way of life and beliefs, surely you will earn their respect too,” Otacan said.

According to Lt. Col. Romeo C. Jimenea, the commanding officer of 26th IB, the said lecture was part of the retraining program for the CSP teams before their immersion in the community, to serve as their diplomatic weapon in dealing with the IP communities. He further said that the knowledge that they will acquire from the lectures is very necessary for winning the trust and confidence of the populace.

“Respect the IP members, be kind and set good examples because you will represent the government. If you learn to adapt their customs and traditions, you will win the hearts and minds of the IP community,” said Jimenea.

“We belie all issues of the leftist group that the CSP is part of militarization in the countryside. The objective of the CSP is to serve as a bridge between the community and concerned government agencies, to deliver basic services and address the community’s concerns. If we accomplish all of these, for sure, there will be no more victims of the Communist Party of the Philippines - New People’s Army (CPPNPA’s) deception and propaganda,” Jimenea added. (CMO Officer, 3SFBn/ PIA-Agusan del Sur)

15 NPA with 17 guns yielded in AgSur P ovincial News

MACO, Davao de Oro - After around 15 days of focused military operations and dialogues, six regular New Peoples Army (NPA) members, and nine Militia ng Bayan (MB) members have surrendered on Monday, February 3, 2020 in La Paz town, Agusan del Sur. The communist combatants submitted with them 17 high and low powered firearms, and other war materiels during their surrender to La Paz Mayor Michael Lim. Also present during the surrender were 1001st Infantry Brigade Deputy Brigade Commander Colonel Glenn Jun Calambuhay, and 60th Infantry Battalion Commanding Officer

According to reports, one of the surrenderers approached the municipal and army officials during the Pulongpulong at Barangay Kasapa 2, La Paz town at around 9:00 a.m., tipping them that he and his comrades wanted to lay down their arms.

Around an hour later, some 15 men came and surrendered, bringing with them 10 garand and homemade rifles, one shotgun, six pistols, and assorted magazines.

With such action, Brigade Commander Colonel John Oberio of the 1001st Infantry Brigade stressed that the group will be processed and eventually, receive the cash benefits under Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (ECLIP). The information said that around 100 armed men started to converge at the hillside of the province, probably to celebrate the anniversary of the Communist Party of the Philippines on December 26.

However, the army was curtailed to pursue the communist group back then due to ceasefire implemented by the Republic of the Philippines last December 23, 2019 to January 7, 2020. It was just on the middle of January 2020 that the military started a focused military operation.

Brigade Commander Colonel Oberio appreciated the the bold actions of the residents, which contributed to the significant development of peace and security in the municipality.

He said that skills enhancement and livelihood programs from government agencies will also be provided to the surrenderers in the implementation of Executive Order No 70 or utilizing the whole of government and whole of nation approach to end local communist armed conflict (ELCAC).

During the interview, the surrenderers bared that they are among the surviving elements of the last encounter in the area on January 26, 2020.

The military operations in the province of Agusan del Sur was triggered by an information from a “This turn of events is a clear manifestation that the residents are already tired and exhausted of the intimidation and coercion conducted by the communist group,” Col. Oberio said.

He added that the army troops are still pursuing the remaining elements of the communist group on the ground. “The 1001st brigade continues to execute its mandate to uplift the peace and security situation in our area while remain relentless in our efforts to crash down this communist terrorist group up to its last member,” he said. (1001st Infantry Brigade/mlu/PIA-Agusan del Sur)

PPOC immersion benefits over 1,200 Agusanons P ovincial News

By Doreen Marielle N. Rosales

BUTUAN CITY - In line with the counter-insurgency measures implemented in Caraga, the Provincial Peace and Order Committee (PPOC) of the province of Agusan del Norte conducted its community immersion in Barangay Rojales, Carmen, Agusan del Norte on January 24. Over 1,200 residents in the said barangay and the neighboring communities gathered at the barangay’s covered court to avail of the different services offered by various government agencies such as health and grooming services. Special services were also accessed by children, pregnant women, and senior citizens. In addition, the activity also paved the way for additional economic opportunities for the residents such as small-scale business start-up ideas and assistance from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and scholarship programs offered by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

Lea Mae Lauro, a resident of the barangay who is currently completing her u n d e r g r a d u a t e studies, was able to enroll under TESDA’s tailoring course. She expressed her gratitude to PPOC for providing the residents various opportunities to improve their lives.

“Through this scholarship, I can now maximize my knowledge in tailoring and even make a living out of it,” she affirmed.

For Juanilio Salazar, a senior citizen who was able to avail the services such as medical check-up, medicines, and even livelihood assistance, the immersion is one of the most effective projects of the government since services are delivered and accessed right away.

Agusan del Norte governor Dale B. Corvera emphasized that the activity is to provide Agusanons opportunities to avail the services of the government, especially for those who live in far-flung communities.

“This activity serves as evidence that the Philippine government is not abandoning its people and in fact is doing their best to serve them,” Corvera added. Moreover, the event will serve as a reminder for the people that the government is doing their best to deliver the promise of a better life for every Filipino which is contradictory to the false perception propagated by communist terrorist group (CTG).

Agusan del Norte 2nd district representative Ma. Angelica AmanteMatba called for the continued support of the people to the government’s projects, viewing it as a major contributor to end insurgency in the region.

“The problem is that people rely on the government for solving the many problems faced by our nation. The government cannot do the work alone. We need your cooperation to bring an end to the issues that are encountered by our county especially in the campaign against insurgency,” said Matba. (Doreen Marielle N. Rosales/VLG/PIA-Caraga)

P ovincial News Army troopers recover landmines in AgNor

By 1Lt. Miguel O. Borromeo

CABADBARAN CITY, Agusan del Norte - Troops of the 29th Infantry (MATATAG) Battalion (29IB), Philippine Army recovered three anti-personnel mines at Sitio Ancile in Brgy. Bangayan, Kitcharao, this province recently.

Based on the report, a concerned resident of the said area while going to his farm noticed a suspicious item on the ground which he verified to be a land mine. The said resident immediately went to the 29IB troopers stationed at Zapanta Patrol Base to report what he had discovered. The troops, after immediately validating the given information, proceeded to the area and found the said improvised anti-personnel mines with detonating cords weighing 33 pounds each which can inflict great casualties not only to the soldiers but also to civilians and properties near the area. The said recovered mines were brought to the 29IB headquarters in Brgy. Del Pilar, Cabadbaran City for safekeeping and proper disposition.

It can be recalled that last January 16, 2020, in the same barangay and municipality, the 29IB troopers encountered the Communist NPA Terrorists (CNTs) which resulted in the recovery of anti-personnel mines and other valuable war materials. February 1-7, 2020 Caraga Infocus 30

Army welcomes daycare pupils to military camp in Bislig City P ovincial News A certain Datu Lando, a Mamanwa tribal leader, said that they were already tired with the series of conflicts in their area. “Gikapoy nami makadungog ug makakita’g gubat ug panagbangi sa among lugar. Ang gusto lang namo malinawong kinabuhi dinhing dapita, mao ng naglaum ko nga dili na mubalik ang teroristang NPA ug mugubot sa pa amo. Wala silay lugar dinhing dapita (We are tired already of hearing and seeing wars and conflicts in our area. What we only want is to have a peaceful life here, so I hope those CNTs never come back and trouble us anymore. They have no place here),” he said. According to Lt. Col. Isagani O. Criste, Commanding Officer of 29IB, the CNTs proved by their actions that they truly do not have any respect for human rights. “They don’t care about who might be affected by their destructive landmines as long as they could do their wicked plans,” he said.

“I am grateful to the concerned resident who provided us valid information without which, great damage would surely have been inflicted in the area,” Criste added. (CMO Officer, 29IB, PA/PIA Agusan del Norte)

BISLIG CITY, Surigao del Sur - The 75th Infantry “Marauder” Battalion (75IB), Philippine Army welcomes a group of daycare pupils of Barangay Tabon, this city during its tour conducted at 75IB Headquarters on January 27, 2020.

The said activity was conducted to impart awareness to the pupils and parents guardians about the Philippine Army contributions and functions in nation-building and to somehow help the children envision of what they want to become in the future, a military official said.

Captain Leo Francisco, 75IB civilmilitary operations (CMO) officer, revealed that the tour started with an orientation to the pupils and parents facilitated by Sergeant Michel Diamos, public affairs non-commissioned officer. They observed the demonstration on basic assembling and disassembling of various firearms used by the Philippine Army.

A lady officer, assistant CMO Lt. Jezreel Bajar, extended gratitude to the parents who accompanied their children during the tour as she imparted impressions on what and who the soldiers are.

Meanwhile, 75IB commanding officer Lt. Colonel Warren Munda also expressed his appreciation to the pupils, teachers, and the parents/guardians for visiting the camp, and emphasized the services they rendered for the nation.

“Instill it to the mind of your children that the soldiers are the modern heroes and could serve as an inspiration to others,” Lt. Col Munda said.

“Tell them what the soldiers do, that is to serve the people and to secure the land, for the country to be peaceful and well-developed,” Lt. Col. Munda said. (75IB CMO/PIA Surigao del Sur)

Agri-related training for IP CAFGUs launched in SurSur P ovincial Newsovincial N By Nida Grace P. Barcena

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur - The Department of Agriculture (DA) Caraga in partnership with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and Philippine Army will conduct an Agri-related training for the troops of the 401st Infantry Brigade and 402nd Infantry Brigade in Surigao del Sur.

The proposed program is in line with the “TESDA Abot Lahat” platform of TESDA, and the DA’s “Kabuhayan at Kaunlaran ng Kababayang Katutubo” (4Ks) funded by the DA’s Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD). Both programs are part of the government’s effort of empowering the Indigenous People (IP) to alleviate their lives from poverty.

According to TESDA Surigao del Sur Information Officer Lee Escobal, their office will facilitate the threeday agriculture-related TESDA training in Native Chicken and Vegetable Production this coming February.

The DA, on the other hand, will take their part under the 4Ks - the provision of assistance in the form of agriculture and fisheries-related livelihood opportunities.

The said training aims to capacitate the troops of the Philippine Army, specifically the Citizen Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) Active Auxiliary (CAA) members - the target beneficiaries of the program under the two brigades, Escobal said.

The beneficiaries, accordingly, will acquire and/or enhance agri-related skills and to put up related livelihood projects/enterprises, thus augmenting their sources of income, Escobal added. (PIA-Surigao del Sur)

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