79th IB holds outreach program to Calatrava IPs

From the Philippine Information Agency (Mar 15, 2021): 79th IB holds outreach program to Calatrava IPs (By Lorenzo O. Lambatin, Jr.)

NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, March 15 (PIA)— The Philippine Army's 79th Infantry "Masaligan" Battalion conducted Pulong-Pulong and outreach activity among the Indigenous Peoples (IPs) community on Friday, March 12, at Sitio Las Piñas, Brgy Minapasuk, Calatrava Town, Civil-Military Operations Officer 1Lt Dansan Camua said.

According to Camua, the activity is in in collaboration with the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Calatrava, Brgy Council of Minapasuk, 6th Special Action Battalion, PNP-SAF and Lady Riders Club-Negros Occidental.

A total of 85 residents composed of adults and children belonging to the Negritos Ata & Bukidnon Tribe participated in the activity and received food packs, hygiene kits, face shields, face mask and slippers.

The activity included a brief pulong-pulong, where former rebel "Ka Joross" shared testimony about his experiences on the deceptive recruitment schemes of the Communist Terrorist Groups (CTGs) and how the government helped him after he surrendered, Camua noted

Executive Assistant Marianne Lumanog, who represented the LGU of Calatrava, assured the IPs of the local government's concern for them, especially on health programs.

Also, Pedro Satuquia, Chieftain of the Negritos Ata & Bukidnon Tribe, thanked the 79IB for initiating such activity and hoped for more information awareness drive to their community to continuously educate them about insurgency.

Lieutenant Colonel Gerard T. Alvaran, Commanding Officer of 79IB, lauded the efforts of the Local Government Unit of Calatrava, PNP SAF and Lady Riders Club in making the activity successful.

"Our efforts are all worth it. Seeing the smiles of every IP member gives us a sense of fulfilment, it gives us the inspiration to perform our duties well to achieve lasting peace and development in our area, Alvaran said.

"The IP community is vulnerable to exploitation and manipulation by the CPP-NPA Terrorist. They are more susceptible to recruitment by the NPA. That is why we chose to conduct this activity to bring hope to the IP community and make them feel that the government and other stakeholders both from public and private sectors are looking after their welfare and are committed to pursue peace and development efforts in their community," Alvaran added. (79th IB PA/JSC/LOL/PIA6 Negros Occidental)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1069593