Seasoned Army Soldiers Deployed To Masbate Province

CAMP ELIAS ANGELES, Pili, Camarines Sur – The 9th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army sent a well-trained Company-size soldiers to Masbate Island yesterday, 09 January 2010.

The 85-man Infantry Company led by 1LT Julius M Feria, will assist the PNP in its drive to dismantle political armed groups (PAGs), pre-empt election-related violence and intensify the campaign against communist terrorists.

This new batch of soldiers will complement the 9th Infantry Battalion which has jurisdiction over Masbate Province. It will also assist in implementing various Kalayaan sa Baranggay Program (KPB) projects which are initiated by the Philippine Army in Bicol Region.

Major Harold Cabunoc, the Chief of the 9ID Public Affairs Office, disclosed that on 09 January 2010, a joint coordinating conference was conducted by the COMELEC Region 5 Office, PRO 5, PNP and the 9th Infantry Division in Camp Ola, Legaspi City to synergize the efforts on ISO and the multifarious tasks in support to the COMELEC.

The COMELEC deputizes the AFP-PNP for the upcoming elections. During the meeting, the joint operational guidelines related to the upcoming local and national elections were discussed extensively.

“We will carry out our various mandates in Bicol Region based on the directives from higher headquarters. The Commander of the 9th Infantry Division, Major General Ruperto R Pabustan, directed all unit commanders to enforce the law in coordination with the police as they perform election duties starting on 10 January 2010”, Major Cabunoc said.