595 police personnel got promoted
BUTUAN CITY, Nov. 28 -- Police
Brig. Gen. Joselito Esquivel Jr, Regional Director of Police Regional Office
(PRO) 13 led the oath-taking ceremony and donning of ranks of 595 police
personnel held at the PRO13 Grandstand, Camp Rafael Rodriguez, Butuan City on
Monday, November 25.
Of the 595 promoted personnel, 21
were Police Commissioned Officers (PCOs) and 574 were Police Non-Commissioned
Officers (PNCOs) assigned to different police units of Caraga.
PBGen. Esquivel congratulated the
promotees and emphasized that their promotion does not only imply more
authority; but greater responsibility that needs more responsive career
development to adequately meet the demands of higher positions appropriate to
their new ranks.
The promotion was a result of the
merit system to give recognition to the PNP uniformed personnel and uplift the
morale of the police force.
“Our promotion comes from God and
we are answerable to Him for the services we give to the public. I am looking
forward also that you will become good role models of competence, discipline, excellence,
and professionalism in the police force,” RD Esquivel added. (PRO13/PIA-Caraga)
Army’s CSP team shares school supplies to young
learners
TALACOGON, Agusan del Sur, Nov. 28
-- The Community Support Program (CSP) team of the 26th Infantry Battalion (26IB),
Philippine Army took part in the celebration of the 27th National Children's
Month as they distributed school and office supplies and conducted supplemental
feeding to the daycare learners of Barangay Mahayahay, San Luis, Agusan del Sur
on November 22, 2019.
A total of 40 preschoolers
benefitted from the supplemental feeding and received school supplies donated
by the Provincial Social Welfare Development (PSWD)-Agusan del Sur.
The soldiers distributed 80 pad
papers, 40 pieces notebooks, 30 boxes of crayons, 10 pieces scissors, seven
boxes of pencils, five boxes of play dough, two boxes sharpeners and other
office and teaching materials.
Said activity was made possible
through the help of Rachel Montemor, PSWD officer, in collaboration with 1Lt.
Percival Carido, the civil-military operations (CMO) officer of 26th IB as part
of the lined-up activities for the said celebration with the theme
"Karapatan Pambata: Patuloy na Pahalagahan at Gampanan Tungo sa Magandang
Kinabukasan."
“As we celebrate the special month
for our young generation, this activity forms part of our commitment to impart
community service and other efforts to win the people’s trust and support. We
have to instill in the minds of the children that our personnel is here to
help,” 1Lt. Carido said.
Touched by the said distribution,
Arcita Cervantes, one of the daycare teachers, expressed her heartfelt
gratitude to the CSP team. She expressed that she did not expect that her
request to the troops regarding the school materials will be granted. “Thank
you very much Philippine Army and other involved personalities for making this
activity possible. This only proves that our soldiers are not only trained for
war, but also for social and charity works,” she said.
Lt. Col. Romeo Jimenea, commanding
officer of 26IB also emphasized that this effort forms part of the government’s
implementation of Executive Order 70 or the whole-of-nation approach to end
local communist armed conflict. “This simple gift-giving activity initiated by
our CSP with the help of PSWD-Agusan del Sur is a proof that EO 70 is very
effective contrary to allegations of the leftist groups that EO 70 is a junk
and that our troops are abusive and troublemakers,” he said.
“We are glad to see smiles painted
on the faces of these young children. As part of the government, it is our joy
that we bring a glimpse of hope and happiness to them. We will continue to
collaborate with other agencies and other stakeholders to support EO 70 most
especially in providing these young individuals a safe and comfortable place
for learning,” added Jimenea. (26IB/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
'Intense battle' erupts between Army, Surigao
tribes
By Lt. Krisjuper Andreo Punsalan
LIANGA, Surigao del Sur, Nov. 28
-- A fierce battle on the basketball court commenced on Monday between the
Indigenous Peoples (IP) Community and the Community Support Teams (CSTs) in
Sitio Simuwao (Kilometer 9), Diatagon, Lianga, Surigao del Sur. This is the
first inter-sitio basketball league in the conflict-affected area in Andap
Valley Complex organized by the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) of Diatagon, Diatagon
Barangay Local Government Unit, the IP residents and the CSTs composed of the
troops from the 3rd Special Forces “Arrowhead” Battalion (3SFBn), 401st Civil
Military Operations (CMO) Company and the Philippine National Police (PNP).
The basketball court was
constructed through the efforts of both Kilometer 9 IP residents and the
composite Army and PNP personnel being falsely accused by the militant group,
Malahutayong Pakigbisog Alang a Sumusunod (MAPASU), a local affiliate of Bayan
Muna Partylist represented by Eufemia Campos Cullamat, the sister of Pablito
Sinzo Campos, alias Batik, a Communist NPA Terrorist nabbed by the 3SFBn and
currently detained in Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur.
“May labanan na nagaganap ngayon
sa pagitan ng Army at mga tribo ditto sa KM 9, pero sa basketbolan. Okay
kaayo,“ laughingly said by a resident of the sitio.
“The IP Community is happy with
the latest development in their area. Before they are a bit skeptical about the
military’s presence but the sincerity of the government to attain sustainable
and genuine peace made this possible,” Lt. Col. Joey Baybayan said.
Ten teams from neighboring sitios
in Andap Valley participated in the league to include residents from Kilometer
16, (Sitio Han-Ayan) in Diatagon where Alternative Learning Center for
Agricultural and Livelihood Development (ALCADEV), an alleged hub of the CNTs
exists.
“Our main advantage and weapon in
our quest to end local communist armed conflict is the truth. No matter how
many lies and propaganda the CNTs and their allied groups throw at us, the
truth will always prevail," Col. Allan Hambala, 401st Infantry Brigade
Commander said. (3rd SFBn-CMO/PIA-Surigao del Sur)
