PEACE AND PROFESSIONALISM // 8IB Upholds Human Rights, Confirms MSAB

From DWDD AFP Civil Relations Service Radio Website (Nov 28): PEACE AND PROFESSIONALISM // 8IB Upholds Human Rights, Confirms MSAB

VALENCIA CITY, Bukidnon (DWDD) – Troops of the 8th Infantry Battalion, 4th Infantry Division, Philippine Army showed their professionalism when they upheld human rights in the recent capture of two (2) NPA members in Brgy. Banlag, Valencia City, Bukidnon last November 24, 2015. Instead of using a legitimate force by firing at the armed rebels, the resilient troops applied what they were taught of and gave high regards to the preservation of life and respect for human rights and the rules of engagement as they exemplified the Army Transformation Roadmap and the IPSP Bayanihan when they asked said NPA rebels to surrender so as not to be harmed. However, the troops recovered one (1) cal. 357 revolver and one (1) rifle grenade from the possession of the rebels which led to their arrest due to illegal possession of firearm and ammunition.

In a similar act of devotion, the 8th Infantry Battalion officially organized its Multi-Sector Advisory Board (MSAB) during a preliminary meeting yesterday, November 27, 2015, around 3:00 p.m. in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon. The board is composed of selected individuals from the different sectors of the society which includes academe, youth, legal, NGOs, Indigenous Peoples (Lumads), Media, LGU and the religious sector. The program intends to create a feedback mechanism for the said army unit on matters pertaining to its adherence to human rights, International Humanitarian Law, rule of law and rules of engagements, and basically, the program aims to check the quality of service that the 8th Infantry Battalion is giving to the Filipino people, particularly to the people of Bukidnon, in terms of personnel competency and professionalism and operational capability in securing communities from various threats. During the meeting, the MSAB congratulated the 8IB for the commitment of its troops in upholding human rights as evidenced by the troops’ actions against the recently apprehended NPA members in Valencia City.

The Multi-Sector Advisory Board is a program that is part of the Army Transformation Roadmap or ATR of the Philippine Army. It seeks to facilitate genuine reforms among Army units which is founded on performance excellence and good governance. Through this program, it is expected that unbiased criticisms and findings will be achieved in order to optimize improvements, innovations and development. Moreover, people’s participation in strengthening its one true Army will be ensured, as provided for in the AFP’s Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP) “Bayanihan”.

Meantime, LTC LENNON G BABILONIA INF (GSC) PA, Commanding Officer of the 8th Infantry Battalion, gave his message during the meeting. He mentioned that “The Philippine Army, in all its capacity as the true Filipino people’s Army, recognizes that in order to succeed in “winning the peace”, it needs to undergo its own sincere reform initiatives in the context of the government’s security sector reform. This is the foundation upon which the ATR and the MSAB steadfastly lie. Involvement of all our stakeholders in the process of developing, improving and strengthening our Army and our battalion is of vital importance if we are to win the peace and secure our communities from all forms of threats and violence.” CMO 8IB / MCAG

http://dwdd.com.ph/2015/peace-and-professionalism-8ib-upholds-human-rights-confirms-msab/