61 SCAA members pass army training in Davao City

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 26): 61 SCAA members pass army training in Davao City

A total of 61 members of the Special Cafgu Active Auxiliary (SCAA) successfully completed their basic military training recently conducted by Task Force Davao. Lt. Col. Gerry Besana, TF Davao spokesperson, said the new graduates have completed their 45-day or about six weeks of training which started last Nov. 6. The job of this unit is to protect the human rights of the people. And will also complement the manpower requirement of TF Davao when it comes to the anti-terrorism campaign in the city, he said.

Besana said the team was given practical exercises and immediate action drills, which include theories on military professionalism and the things needed to be soldiers. “Out of the 61, 56 are from the city while five are from the Island Garden City of Samal, which will be part of the Task Group Samal,” he said. “Their first task is to serve Davaoeños and protect the city, they know that very well,” he added. Besana said initially, there were almost 200 applicants prior to the start of the training. The number dwindled to 130 recruits after the first screening and only 61 passed the training.

Meanwhile, Col. Casiano C. Monilla, commander of TF Davao, said the SCAAs are mandated to undergo basic military training to develop their skills and knowledge on security operations specifically on anti or counter terrorism. He said the newly graduates of SCAA are trained to adhere protection of human rights and to focus on the welfare of the people. “The local government of Davao City, under Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio and the Task Force Davao, has set a high standard of training for SCAAs to effectively protect the people from terrorist attack as well as to secure the entire city,” he said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=482528