BUENAVISTA Agusan del Norte – The 23rd Infantry (Masigasig) Battalion facilitated the provision of medical care and assistance to three (3) pregnant former rebels (FRs) and thirty (30) children of former Communist New People’s Army Terrorists (CNTs) through the medical services activity held at the battalion headquarters at Jamboree Site, Purok 6, Barangay Alubihid, Buenavista last Friday afternoon, October 2, 2020.
The medical activity, which included free deworming, immunization and pre-natal check-up was conducted in partnership with the members of Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) of Alubihid headed by Ms. Jasmine Millagracia, the barangay nurse.
The success of the activity was also made possible through the collaboration of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the local government unit (LGU) of Buenavista who are part of the implementation of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (ECLIP) of the government.
The said health activity is among the regular programs being done by the 23rd IB to monitor the health situation of the FRs, including their children at their half-way house called “Happy Home” inside the battalion headquarters. It is also aimed to protect the FRs and their families from the threats of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
Alias “Jannah”, a pregnant FR was among the beneficiaries of the medical activity who thanked the Army and the government for providing them and their children the much-needed health interventions.
“Dili gyod masukod ang kalipay nga among gibati karon. Wala gyod ko nagmahay nga nibalik ko sa sabakan sa atong gobyerno. Ni surrender ko nga buros. Sa una, nagtuo ko ug nahadlok nga pasagdan ra ko sa mga sundalo. Apan sayop ang maong pagtoo. Gi atiman ug gitagad nila ako og maayo ilabi na kay ako us aka mabdos nga nagkinahanglan sa medical nga atensiyon. Wala ako gipasagdan sa mga sundalo ug sa atong gobyerno,” Jannah said.
She also added in her testimony that the proper care she received from the soldiers since she surrendered will help her prepare to reintegrate back to her family and community.
“Kaning maayong pagtagad ug pag-amuma sa akoa dakung tabang aron maandam nako ang akong kaugalingon sa pagbalik nako sa akong pamilya ug komunidad. Akong napamatud-an ang sensiridad sa atong gobyerno sa pagtabang nga matul-id ang kinabuhi sa mga kanhing nabiktima sa mga teroristang NPA,” Jannah said.
Lt. Col. Julius Cesar C. Paulo, the commander of 23rd IB expressed his full support to the activity and thanked the partner agencies and the LGU concerned for the support they extended to the former CNT combatants and their children.
He also condemned the CNTs for the continuing act of injustice that they do to the families and children of their combatants who, for years, were denied of the access to the health services of the government.
“When you returned to the fold of the law, among the primary services that the government has provided you is health care. The Army, the line agencies, and the LGU wants you to be in good health, especially your children,” Paulo said.
He also emphasized that the provision of regular health services will also ensure the physical growth and development of the children of the FRs who are considered as the future leaders of Agusan del Norte, Caraga Region and in the whole country.
“These children are our future leaders. We condemn the CNTs for denying them the right to access to health services. We are aware that here in Agusan del Norte and the rest of the region, hundreds of children, whose parents are still enthralled by the false ideology and claims of the CNTs are suffering from malnutrition and other life-threatening ailments,” Paulo said.
He also urged the remaining CNT members in Agusan del Norte to make one and concrete decision to abandon the communist movement and go back to the government.
“Akong gi awhag ang mga meyembro sa CPP-NPA nga nagpabilin pa gihapon sa
kabukiran ug nagpadayon pa sa pag subay sa sayop nga idyolohiya sa mga komunista nga mobalik na kamo sa sabakan sa panggamhanan tungod kay ang inyong pamilya ug komunidad nagpaabot na kaninyo. Ang inyong kasundalohan sa 23rd IB andam kanunay sa pagdawat ug pagtabang kaninyo,” Paulo said.
He also pointed out that the government has been giving favorable treatment to former rebels who wishes to change their lives and face a renewed future.
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https://www.kalinawnews.com/army-bhws-facilitate-medical-care-to-3-pregnant-frs-30-children/
https://www.kalinawnews.com/army-bhws-facilitate-medical-care-to-3-pregnant-frs-30-children/
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