Army steps up “Bayanihan” with IPs in Isabela town

From the Philippine Information Agency (Jan 24): Army steps up “Bayanihan” with IPs in Isabela town

The 11th Infantry Battalion with the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO) recently conducted a pulong-pulong and gift giving dubbed “Bayanihan para sa Kapayapaan” in Brgy. San Agustin, Isabela town. About 1,500 residents led by Brgy Kapitan Agapito Eurauba attended the activities where the soldiers explained the Battalion’s present thrusts and programs in connection with the Armed Forces of the Philippine’s Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP) “Bayanihan.”

After the pulong-pulong, the MSWDO personnel led the distribution of foodstuff which included rice, canned goods and noodles to 95 families from the “Bukidnones” tribe, a group of indigenous people (IP) residing in the mountainous parts of the barangay, particularly Sitio Mahopaho and Sitio Hiniwaan.

Prior to the synchronized Holiday ceasefire between the government and the NPA, troops from the 11IB discovered an NPA Training Camp in Barangay San Agustin which resulted to a bloody firefight.

Since the ceasefire, the soldiers pulled-out while some residents evacuated to the barangay proper to avoid the crossfire. Some members of the “Bukidnones” tribe however opted to stay and toil their farms.

At the pulong pulong, Brgy Kapitan Agapito Eurauba informed his constituents that this activity was aimed to allay their fears.

Company Commander Lt. Jimrhic Obias stressed that the NPA’s took advantage of the holiday ceasefire by returning to this area in camouflage attire, pretending to be soldiers and threatening the people, in their effort to discredit the AFP and win back the people.

Lt. Col. Willy Isaac, commander of the 11th Infantry Batallion said that just as the AFP’s Bayanihan Campaign had been succeeding in other parts of Negros, the 11IB troopers will remain steadfast in its “bayanihan” efforts for San Agustin and adjacent barangays.

http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=1031358925402