Army soldiers conduct civic work in rebel-infested village

From the Philippine News Agency (May 15): Army soldiers conduct civic work in rebel-infested village

Troops from the 3rd Infantry Division of the Philippine Army on Wednesday trudged dirt roads and rough terrain leading to rebel-infested Barangay Maligbong in the town of Bingawan, Iloilo not to engage the enemy with blazing guns, but to hold civic services to the poor, rural villagers and help close the gap between the government and the marginalized.

Villagers came out to meet the soldiers numbering fewer than a hundred, but the crowd steadily increased as Army doctors began the circumcision of boys, while some of the male adults took advantage of the free massage offered by soldiers.

A group of soldiers helped locals put up a mini-gymnasium at the Don Salvador Hortillano Memorial School to the delight of school teachers who said the facility will be a big boost to students' morale who had to bear the oppressive heat and sometimes the downpour during special days like the observance of national celebrations.

Maj. Rey Tiongson, spokesman of the 3ID, was elated by the warm reception given by the villagers, and said that it is the fervent wish of the Philippine Army to see Barangay Maligbong insurgency-free at the close of 2014.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=643989