Kaugnay Media Defense Corps Inc. organized in Aurora

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 1): Kaugnay Media Defense Corps Inc. organized in Aurora

The 7th Infantry “Kaugnay” Division (ID), Philippine Army based in Fort Magsaysay, Palayan City, Nueva Ecija has organized the local chapter of the Kaugnay Media Defense Corps Inc. (KMDCI) in this capital town of Aurora to serve as conscience of the community focusing on the local needs and the windows of the world through information dissemination of the soldiers’ activities.

Lt. Col. Joey A. Escanillas, battalion commander of the 56th Infantry “Tatag” Battalion, Philippine Army, said that the members of the KMDCI Aurora chapter are known in the media industry, writing in the newspapers locally or nationally, and broadcasters from the radio and television.

Jason de Asis, a veteran reporter of the Catholic Media Network, Manila and news stringer of the Philippines News Agency was unanimously elected as president of KMDCI.

Other KMDCI elected officers are Ferdinand Pascual of CNN Philippines and broadcaster/reporter of Radyo TV Baler (executive vice president); Cristalyn Pascual of Radyo TV Baler (vice president for broadcast); George Balbero of GMA7/reporter of Bagong Aurora Website ng Bayan News Online (vice president for print); Nestor Molina of Radyo TV Baler (secretary); Jan Rael Bitong of Radyo TV Baler (treasurer); Norman Taruc of DZJO FM (auditor); Melanie Hugo of Radyo Natin FM and Shirley Sardea of Radyo TV (business managers).

De Asis expressed his heartfelt thanks to all his colleagues who voted for him.

“This is really an overwhelming sign of trust and confidence,” he said, promising that he will strive to do his best efforts for the concern of the organization that has started in Central Luzon,” he said.

He called on his colleagues for a deeper spirituality based on the Bible and for unity in prayer against corruption.

“Corruption in business and in politics must be eradicated if not minimize, urging the KMDCI members to be united through prayer, discernment and concerted action to renew and to strengthen the social and political fabrics of the people in Aurora, media and the country,” he said.

De Asis took his oath before Lt. Col. Escanillas in the presence of all media personalities and practitioners from the Central Luzon Media Association (CLMA), Kaugnay Media Defense Corps Inc. (KMDCI), local media and Baler Mayor Nelianto “Pilot” C. Bihasa.

KMDCI was registered at the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) dated Nov. 30, 2014 signed by lawyer Richard R. Laus, acting director.

The KMDCI covers the 7th Infantry Division’s 702nd brigade area of responsibility (AOR) in La Union, Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte, Bataan, Pampanga, Tarlac, Zambales, 1st to 5th of Pangasinan, Cordillera Autonomous Region - Tubo, Abra and municipalities of 6th district of Pangasinan – San Miguel, Santa Maria, Asingan, Rosales, Tayug and Balungao) and the 703rd Brigade AOR in Aurora, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, municipalities of Dinapigue, Isabela and municipalities under 6th district of Pangasinan (San Nicolas, San Quintin, Natividad and Umingan), whole of Region 1, parts of Region 2, where the soldiers are assigned.

The Kaugnay Infantry Division’s area of responsibility represents varied cultures and geographical make-up covering 15 provinces, 23 cities, 253 municipalities composed of 6,797 barangays and inhabited by 14,890,738.

In Aurora, the first president of KMDCI is de Asis while in the regions are Ronald Madrid Leander of GMA 7 from San Luis town, who is based in Australia as GMA7 stringer and the incumbent president is Joy Franklin Gonzales of Tarlac province.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=749807