Troops told to shun political disruption

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 28): Troops told to shun political disruption

Army Chief m, Lt. Gen Rolando Bautista m, on Friday urged troops of the newly-created infantry battalion to shun disruption by politicians, but continue to work in achieving military objective.

In his speech during the send-off ceremony of the 89th Infantry (Makatao) Battalion at the 10th Infantry Division Headquarters in Tuburan, Mawab, Compostela Valley, Baustista said, “Kalimutan ninyo ang mga disruption ng mga politiko (Forget all about disruptions of the politicians).”

Instead, Bautista said soldiers must serve the battalion and to expect nothing, but only the best service.

“The command will be behind you and support you all the way,” he vowed.

Bautista led the send-off ceremony, a newly-created battalion to be based in Sto. Tomas, Davao del Norte and will be under the command of Lt. Col Luciano Caiman. It is the 13th battalion under the 10th ID that included Task Force Davao and Joint Task Force GenSan. It’s creation is aimed to hasten the Army division's mandate of protecting the people and securing the region.

Bautista hopes the troops will live up and bring its “Makatao” name and to take care the communities they will serve.

Bautista reminded troops victory in war is displaying the right attitude. He also highlighted the importance of continued training. The troopes of the 89th IB have completed a four-week organizational training.

“Dapat tuloy-tuloy ang training (Training should continue). Preparation builds confidence and confidence overcome fears,” he stressed.

He also reminded troops that they are serving a region where they will face the strongest communist insurgents – the Southern Mindanao Regional Command (SMRC) of the New People’s Army (NPA).

He said the soldiers should also remember that they are serving Davao Region where seasoned and veteran soldiers fight the NPA.

Bautista was also a 10th ID Agila soldier. He served the 41IB, the 73rd and the Task Force Davao. Bautista also told battalion commander Caiman to always instill good habits among his troops.

“It is hard when new soldiers learn bad habits,” he said.

Bautista said the 89th IB has the big role in the pursuit for lasting peace in the region.

He added not to allow terrorism, saying such ideology should find no place in the country. Bautista said the military has earned the trust of the civilians from the Marawi crisis.

He said the military should maintain this level of recognition of the civilians. “We have no more chance to reach this status,” he said.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php/articles/1014181