2 injured soldiers get assistance

From the Visayan Daily Star (May 11, 2020): 2 injured soldiers get assistance

Two Army soldiers injured in recent armed skirmishes with New People’s Army rebels in Victorias City, Negros Occidental, received special financial assistance from the Comprehensive Social Benefit Program of the government.

Fatima Diaz, DILG Northern Negros Cluster leader, turned over P5,000 worth of groceries and hygiene kits on Friday to Cpl. Ranie Chiefe and PFC Louie Maghanoy, both members of the 79th Infantry Battalion, who were injured in a gunbattle with NPA rebels in Brgy. Gawahon, Victorias City, on April 24.

Army soldiers and troopers of the PNP Special Action Force recovered from the encounter site two improvised explosive devices (IEDs) with blasting caps, a bandolier with five magazines for AK47 assault rifle, and another bandolier with two magazines of M16 rifle with ammunition.

Also recovered from the site were two hand-held radios, two mobile phones, a binocular, a compass, four jungle packs containing personal belongings, five hammocks, eight blankets, 10 ponchos, three rain boots, assorted medicines, and subversive documents.

Diaz said that the Comprehensive Social Benefit Program was institutionalized as a mechanism to provide speedy, sustainable and rationalize social benefit assistance to the military, police and other uniformed personnel.

She added that the initial package will be followed by a full tranche of special financial assistance worth P100, 000 on the category of minor injury after completing the necessary requirements.

Lt. Col. Gerald Alvaran, 79IB commanding officer, thanked the DILG for recognizing sacrifices of the military in combat operations.

These gestures will serve as our inspiration and motivation to do more and continue our selfless service to end local communist armed conflict in northern Negros, Alvaran said.

He added that they will continue to serve as partner to provide security in all of the activities of the government, including the fight against local communist terrorists and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Diaz said the DILG highly appreciates and salutes the heroism of the AFP-PNP in countering the communist terrorist groups that would like to take advantage of COVID-19 pandemic.*

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2020/May/11/topstory11.htm