Kalinaw News: Army’s 70IB facilitates Christening of Former Rebels Couple’s Baby Girl in Pampanga

Posted to Kalinaw News (Mar 27, 2022): Army’s 70IB facilitates Christening of Former Rebels Couple’s Baby Girl in Pampanga



FORT MAGSAYSAY, Nueva Ecija — As part of its commitment to assist the Former Rebels in living a new life, the Commander of the 7th Infantry (KAUGNAY) Division, Philippine Army Major General Andrew D Costelo PA, said that the 70th Infantry (MATATAG AT MATAPAT) Battalion led by Lieutenant Colonel Eugene F Garce, facilitated the christening ceremony of Ramer Donasco and Julie Anne Balana’s baby girl at St Catherine Parish, Arayat, Pampanga on March 26, 2022.

Said ceremony was graced by the Army Officers and Enlisted Personnel who stood as the godparents of the child.

According to MGen Costelo, the Army values this important occasion in the lives of the FR couple as they are now enjoying the essence of freedom from the clout of the communist organization.

Also, he emphasized that assisting the FRs after their surrender to the government is just a manifestation of their sincerity in encouraging the remaining members of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) to surrender as soon as possible.

It can be recalled that the said couple surrendered and returned to the folds of the law in December last year bringing with them high-powered firearms wherein Julie Ann was already pregnant of their first baby.

In January of this year, she gave birth to a healthy baby girl at ELJ Hospital in Cabanatuan City. They were assisted by the Provincial Task Force ELCAC in Nueva Ecija and the 7th Infantry (Kaugnay) Division.

“Kami po ay taos pusong nagpapasalamat sa lahat ng tulong na naibigay sa amin. Kami po ay naligaw ng landas ngunit ginabayan nyo po kami sa aming pagbabalik loob,” Julie Ann said.

Moreover, the Commander of 703rd Infantry (AGILA) Brigade, Colonel Joseph Norwin D Pasamonte, extended support to the christening and said that the door of 703rd Brigade and the AFP in general is still open and will extend same support to those who wants to return to the mainstream society.

Meanwhile, LTC Garce on his part reiterates its commitment to help rebuild the lives of the FRs after their surrender to the government.

“It is our duty to help those who are in need, especially in this kind of situation where they need the help of the government in rebuilding their lives and starting over,” said LTC Garce.

[Kalinaw News is the official online source of information on the pursuit for peace in the Philippines This website is a property of the Civil-Military Operations Regiment, Philippine Army located at Lawton Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City Contact us: kalinawnews@cmoregiment.com]

https://www.kalinawnews.com/armys-70ib-facilitates-christening-of-former-rebels-couples-baby-girl-in-pampanga/