150 army soldiers undergo capability enhancement training

From the Philippine Information Agency (Jan 13): 150 army soldiers undergo capability enhancement training

One hundred fifty soldiers belonging to the Philippine Army’s (PA) 1st Civil –Military Operations Battalion of the 1st Infantry (Tabak) Division have attended a capability enhancement training held Friday at the Tabak’s Club House, Camp Sang-an, Barangay Pulacan this municipality.

Invited as resource speakers were Regional Director Noemi B. Edaga of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA)-9 and her assistant, Franklin P. Gumapon, who talked on development communication and basic newswriting, respectively.

Director Edaga underscored the importance of development communication in carrying out the tasks and programs of civil-military operations (CMO).

Edaga said that any soldier could be a development communicator, as “development communication involves communication practitioner who helps disadvantaged people.”

Gumapon, on the other hand, discussed the basics of newswriting before the participants. He presented a sample news story and pointed out the important elements that make for clear, interesting, complete news article.

Some tips on preparing broadcast releases were also given to the participants.

The 1st Infantry (Tabak) Division covers the entire Western Mindanao including the provinces of Misamis Occidental and Lanao del Norte of Region 10 and Lanao del Sur of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). It is confronted with all types of terrorist threats, according to its commanding officer, MGen. Virigilio Trininidad, citing the presence of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA), Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), and Moro rebels in the area.

Trinidad finds it expedient to strengthen civil-military operations in every nook and cranny to protect the people against terror groups and to fulfil the army’s core purpose: “Serving the people, securing the land.”

http://news.pia.gov.ph/index.php?article=1431389563384