Kalinaw News: CGPA boosts the morale of the Startroopers; visits isolated Patrol Bases

Posted to the Kalinaw News Website (Jul 3, 2021): CGPA boosts the morale of the Startroopers; visits isolated Patrol Bases

CAMP MELCHOR F DELA CRUZ, Upi, Gamu, Isabela- Major General Andres C Centino PA, Commanding General of the Philippine Army boosted the morale of the Startroopers and members of the CAFGU Active Auxiliary (CAA) in his two-day visit in the Area of Responsibility of 5th Infantry Division, Philippine Army.

The Commanding General visited the far-flung CAA Patrol Bases in Cagayan Valley and Cordillera Regions. On July 01, 2021, he went to Alannay CAA Patrol Base, Lasam, Cagayan where he awarded the Military Merit Medal to seven troops of the 17th Infantry Battalion (17IB) who exhibited bravery in combating Communist NPA Terorists (CNTs) in Zinundungan Valley, Rizal, Cagayan, and Barangay Mallig, Flora, Apayao. The troops overrun the 1,000 square meters enemy encampment with 40 bunkers, a social hall, and two kitchens in December 2020 and another enemy camp with 11 bunkers on March 14, 2021, in the said places. Aside from the enemy camps, they also recovered firearms, war materiel, medical paraphernalia, NPA flag, and subversive documents. Major General Centino commended their achievements for responding to the report of the locals of attaining a peaceful community that is free from CNTs.

Also, in his visit to Barangay Balanni, Sto. Niño, Cagayan, he commended the hard work of the CAAs that resulted to the declaration of insurgency-cleared barangay. Note that in the past decades, Barangay Balanni was a former haven of the CNTs. Through the Community Support Program of the 17IB and in partnership with the Local Government Units and Agencies, the people realized that they were just used by the CNTs for their vested interests. The CAA detachment was established in July 2019 with the effort of the populace within and in nearby barangays. Through the cooperation of the community, Barangay Balanni was declared as cleared from insurgency early this year.

On the same date, Major General Centino also visited the CAA Detachment in Barangay Daga, Conner, Apayao. While on July 02, he visited the Dibuluan CAA Patrol Base in San Mariano, Isabela.

The Commanding General of the Philippine Army is very much concerned with the status of CAA securing the community against the threat of the CNTs. He applauded the continuous efforts of the CAAs in the provinces of Apayao, Cagayan, and Isabela that is directly contributing in the attainment of peace and order in the community.

“We will support our troops on the ground. Nakikita natin ang determinasyon ng ating mga kasamahan na nasa field upang tapusin ang insurhensiya hindi lamang dito sa nasasakupan ng 5ID kundi sa buong Northern Luzon. We will continuously build the morale of our troops. The support that is needed will be delivered. Ipagpatuloy lang natin ang ating trabaho,” said the Commanding General.

Moreover, during the talk to men at Camp Melchor F Dela Cruz, Major General Centino congratulated the Star Troopers on their accomplishments. He then reminded the troops to sustain the extra effort in the campaign against insurgency. “We are in a great victory against the enemy of the state. Pero meron pang natitira na dapat nating tapusin. Ang tanong, kaya ba natin ito within the timeline given to us? I, as your Commanding General, believe that we can. Nakikita ko na kayang-kaya natin yang gawin if we will focus on the main task – that is to end local communist armed conflict. We can do it if we have the mindset na kaya natin within the timeline. We all have the support from the agencies and communities. We will win this fight!”

Major General Laurence E Mina PA, Commander of 5th Infantry Division, thanked the Commanding General for boosting the morale of the troops on the ground. He also reassured that the Startroopers will continuously do its job and maintain its standard of excellence.

MGen Laurence E Mina PA, Commander of 5th Infantry Division, thanked the Commanding General for boosting the morale of the troops on the ground. He also reassured that the Startroopers will continuously do its job and maintain its standard of excellence. “The 5th Infantry Star Division will end the local communist armed conflict in Cagayan Valley and in Cordillera.” Major General Mina ended.

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