55IB, Phil. Army sets up quick response teams in remote areas of Misamis Occidental

From the Philippine Information Agency (May 7): 55IB, Phil. Army sets up quick response teams in remote areas of Misamis Occidental

The 55th Infantry Battalion (55IB), 101 Infantry Brigade, Philippine Army, has set up quick response teams (QRT) for deployment in the remote areas of Misamis Occidental.

The deployment will complement that of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in the province, whose concentration is on the municipalities along the national highways and secondary roads, as well as the coastal areas, Lt. Col. Rommel A. Almaria, Commander of 55IB, said.

“Although our main concern is counter-insurgency, the 55IB is also concerned of making the May 13, 2013 national and local elections safe and orderly,” Almaria said.

He also said they have already coordinated with the Misamis Occidental Provincial Police Office (MOPPO) and taken the task to provide security to the people living in the boundaries of the province and the Zamboanga provinces, located at the foot of the Mt. Malindang Range Natural Park (MMRNP).

Particularly, these municipalities had histories of election-related atrocities and rebel infestation, such as Concepcion, Don Victoriano, Bonifacio, Tudela, Sinacaban and Ozamiz City.

Meanwhile, Almaria assured the residents of the province that they have organized more than 400 members of the Civilian Auxiliary Forces Ground Unit (CAFGU) to serve as augmentation force to close to 300 regular members of 55IB.

On the other hand, Almaria said the 55IB soldiers, along with the members of the CAFGU will be providing security support to the deployment of the Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS) machines, members of the Board of Election Inspectors (BEI), as well as the voters, on election day, on May 13.

http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=1451367893108