Army, BHWs facilitate medical care to 3 pregnant FRs, 30 children

ARMY, BHWS FACILITATE

MEDICAL CARE TO 3 PREGNANT FRS, 30 CHILDREN By 1Lt. Roel T. Maglalang The 23rd Infantry of Alubihid headed by The said health (Masigasig) Battalion Jasmine Millagracia, the activity is among the (23IB), Philippine Army barangay nurse. The regular programs being facilitated the provision success of the activity done by the 23rd IB to of medical monitor the care and health situation assistance to of the FRs, three pregnant including their former rebels children at their (FRs) and halfway house 30 children called “Happy of former Home” inside Communist the battalion New People’s headquarters. Army Terrorists It is also aimed (CNTs) through to protect the medical the FRs and services activity their families held at the battalion was also made possible from the threats of the headquarters at the through the collaboration coronavirus disease 2019 Jamboree Site, Purok of the Department (COVID-19). 6, Barangay Alubihid, of Social Welfare Alias “Jannah,” a Buenavista on October 2, and Development pregnant FR was among 2020. (DSWD) and the local the beneficiaries of the The medical activity, government unit (LGU) of medical activity who which included free Buenavista who are part thanked the Army and the deworming, immunization of the implementation government for providing and pre-natal check- of the Enhanced them and their children up was conducted in Comprehensive the much-needed health partnership with the Local Integration interventions. members of Barangay Program (ECLIP) of the She also added in Health Workers (BHWs) government. her testimony that the

proper care she received from the soldiers since she surrendered will help her prepare to reintegrate back to her family and community. Lt. Col. Julius Cesar C. Paulo, the commander of 23rd IB expressed his full support to the activity and thanked the partner agencies and the LGU concerned for the support they extended to the former CNT combatants and their children. He also condemned the CNTs for the continuing act of injustice that they do to the families and children of their combatants who, for years, were denied of the access to the health services of the government. “When you returned to the fold of the law, among the primary services that the government has provided you is health care. The Army, the line agencies, and the LGU want you to be in good health, especially your children,” Paulo said. He also emphasized that the provision of regular health services will also ensure the physical growth and development of the children of the FRs who are considered as the future leaders of Agusan del Norte, Caraga Region and in the whole country. “These children are our future leaders. We condemn the CNTs for denying them the right to access to health services. We are aware

that here in Agusan del Norte and the rest of the region, hundreds of children, whose parents are still enthralled by the false ideology and claims of the CNTs are suffering from malnutrition and other life-threatening ailments,” Paulo said. He also urged the remaining CNT members in Agusan del Norte to make one and concrete decisions to abandon the communist movement and go back to the government. He also pointed out that the government has been giving favorable treatment to former rebels who wish to change their lives and face a renewed future. (CMO Officer, 23IB, 4ID, PA/PIA Agusan del Norte)