Philippine Army vows to keep Luzon provinces insurgent free

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 2): Philippine Army vows to keep Luzon provinces insurgent free

The Philippine Army’s 56th Infantry “Tatag” Battalion based in Barangay Calabuanan here has vowed to maintain the provinces of Aurora, Nueva Vizcaya, Isabela and Nueva Ecija free from insurgents.

“We pledge to intensify our efforts and our commitment to maintain insurgency free the areas not only in Aurora but also in areas we have operations,” Lt. Col. Joey Escanillas, battalion commander of the PA’s 56th Infantry “Tatag” Battalion.

Escanillas said that after they attained peace, their thrust has shifted from counter-insurgency efforts to the implementation of development projects through the Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP) called “Bayanihan.”

”We will continue our support operations, particularly in the aspect of development through intensified coordination with the local government units (LGUs) and other government agencies,” he said.

Last year, he said they conducted book giving activities as sponsored by Rex Bookstore Incorporated in 15 elementary schools and two high schools in Aurora where a total of 6,870 assorted books were distributed.

The battalion commander also recalled that during typhoons Lando and Nona, their teams helped in the disaster relief and rescue operations in Aurora and Nueva Vizcaya.

“We also conducted Brigada Eskwela in 43 schools in this province; 12 schools in Quirino province and 11 schools in Nueva Vizcaya,” he said.

He also said that they conducted medical, dental, ophthalmic mission as well as free haircut that benefited some 3,161 residents in Aurora and Quirino.

Likewise, Escanillas said that the relentless campaign against illegal logging last year has led to the confiscation of illegally cut lumbers with 17,849 board feet in Aurora; 15,216 board feet in Quirino and 500 board feet in Nueva Vizcaya.

“The series of operation became fruitful with the help of our partners from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources(DENR), police, local government units and other sectors who are united in pursuing anti-illegal logging campaign,” he said.

“We also urged our soldiers to donate blood for sick person and for their comrades who are in need of blood,” he said.

Other Bayanihan activities that the Philippine Army conducted include cleanliness drive, tree planting activities, feeding program.

“These are all part of our Bayanihan. We will continue to strengthen our partnership to sustain what we have achieved and strive even further towards peace and development,” Escanillas added.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=853095