Army, local govt join hands to serve Lumads in Bukidnon

From the Philippine Information Agency (Mar 10): Army, local govt join hands to serve Lumads in Bukidnon

More than 600 Lumads or indigenous people (IPs) benefited from the community outreach services of the 8th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army's 4th Infantry Division (8IB, 4ID, PA), March 8, in barangay Iba, Cabanglasan town, Bukidnon.

Lt. Col. Lennon G. Babilonia, INF (GSC) PA, 8IB commanding Officer, said the outreach program is part of the soldiers’ cooperative effort in helping local government eliminate health disparities.

Services offered include tooth extraction, medical consultation, giving of free medicines and free haircut.

Together with the troops and local government unit (LGU) workers are medical practitioners from Bukidnon Association of California, members of the Filipino-Canadian Medical Association, the 4th Infantry Division Dental team and several soldier barbers of the 8th Infantry Battalion.

The joint team conducted the medical/dental mission and community outreach after a series of armed clashes between government troops and New People’s Army (NPA) bandits in the outskirts of said community recently.

It can be recalled that on February 19, 2016, around 1:30 p.m., NPA bandits coming from Section Committee 89 of the North Central Mindanao Regional Committee attempted to bomb and burn heavy equipment while setting up an ambuscade against government forces in an ongoing government road concreting project in Km. 25, brgy. Iba, Cabanglasan, Bukidnon.

The NPA bandits however failed when responding troops surprised them and engaged in an armed encounter that resulted to undetermined number of casualties on the NPA's side as they scampered to different directions.

Likewise, on February 23, 2016, around 9:00 a.m., another group of NPA bandits coming from the same group attempted to ambush the government troops who were then securing the route for an ongoing community outreach program in brgy. Bulonay, Impasugong, Bukidnon.

The attempt failed, however, when the troops engaged in a fierce firefight with the bandits that lasted for about an hour that resulted to the recovery of an Improvised Explosive Device (IED). It is believed that said IED will be used by NPAs against the LGU convoy and troops who were conducting a community outreach program for the Lumads.

Lt. Col. Babilonia commended the team for the successful activity. He also lauded Cabanglasan LGU and the members of Bukidnon Association of California Doctors and Filipino-Canadian Medical Association for organizing the medical and dental mission and for having the Army participate in the undertaking.

"It is indeed very much pleasing for us to be able to render our services to the people, especially to our Lumad brothers. I congratulate our troops as well as the organizers of this event for holding a very successful medical and dental mission," Lt. Col. Babilonia said.

He also extended his gratitude to Cabanglasan LGU and the members of Bukidnon Association of California and the Filipino-Canadian Medical Association for supporting their operations and allowing them to be part of the community outreach program.

Further, he said this undertaking is of much importance because it gives hope to the people here in Bukidnon particularly the Lumads who are most affected by the deceits of insurgency and armed struggle.

To the NPA members, Babilonia said it's not too late to hope. We encourage you to go down and go back to the folds of the law. We will be most willing to help you. The government is willing to give you livelihood assistance and will even pay for your firearms under the Comprehensive Local Integration Program (CLIP) if you choose a new path and surrender," Lt. Col. Babilonia said.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1501457668593/army-local-govt-join-hands-to-serve-lumads-in-bukidnon