Army's DRO Teams Get Ready For TS Chedeng In Bicol Region

The following pictures were taken during the mustering of DRO assets in front of the Office of the Civil Defense 5 yesterday at 9:00am. It was participated by various government agencies such as the AFP, DPWH, PCG, BFP and the PNP. Governor Jose "Joey" Sarte Salceda gave 2 rubber boats to the 9th Infantry Division and 1 for the Philippine Coast Guard.

COMMANDER'S BRIEFING. Colonel Arthur P Ang, Commander of the 901st Brigade of the Philippine Army, receives a unit briefing from the leader of the 9ID's Disaster Response Operations Team, 1st Lieutenant Ronnie Sicad, during the mustering of DRO assets in Legaspi City yesterday at 9:00am. (Photo by S7,901st Bde)

DISASTER PREPAREDNESS. Albay's PDRRMC prepares for the coming of TS Chedeng in a joint disaster preparedness drills held in Camp Simeon Ola in Legaspi City yesterday at 9:00am. The activity was supervised by senior government officials including Governor Jose "Joey" Salceda, OCD5 Director Raffy Alejandro, 9ID Commander Major General Josue Gaverza Jr and 901st Brigade Commander Colonel Arthur Ang. (Photo by S7,901st Bde)

Summer Youth Camp 2011 visits Spear Warriors' Home

Army Soldiers Cited for Masbate’s Peace and Development

Pili, CamSur - Masbate Governor Rizalina "Dayan" Lanete delivering her inspiring speech at the opening ceremony for the new batch of Army recruits in Camp Elias Angeles.

PILI, Camarines Sur – The Philippine Army in the Bicol Region earned praises from a local chief executive during a military ceremony held here today.

Masbate Governor Rizalina “Dayan” Lanete, who graced the opening ceremony for the new batch of Army recruits, said that the presence of the Philippine Army has drastically improved the peace and order situation in her province.

“The soldiers are doing so much in the peace and order situation especially in far-flung areas where ordinary men dare not go,” she said in a statement.

Lanete came here to witness the Oath Taking ceremony of the 125 new Army recruits who compose the Candidate Soldier Course Class 255-11.

In her speech, she urged the soldiers to support her administration in delivering various public services to her constituents.

“If we work hard enough together as a community, not even the most arid deserts can stop this grace from blooming. We hold in our hands the keys to making our dreams come true,” said Lanete who spoke fluently both in English and Visayan.

The Philippine Army and the Philippine National Police in Masbate have earned accolades during the conduct of national and local elections last year.

For the first time, the 2010 elections posted the lowest number of election-related violent incidents in its many decades of polls which are usually marred by political violence.

Labanan Ang CPP/NPA/NDF!

Launching Of CamSur Model Community video

Model Community Project Reunites Rebels’ Families

WELCOME EMBRACE. Camarines Sur Governor Luis Ray 'L-Ray' Villafuerte embraces Edwin Nazarionda a.k.a. Ka Marjorie,40, who is one of the former NPA rebels who benefited the free housing awarded to them during the ground-breaking ceremony held in the Model Community established in Pili town yesterday, February 22. Looking on is Major General Ruperto 'Raffy' Pabustan, Commander of the 9th Infantry Division (center) and Lieutenant General Roland Detabali, Commander, Southern Luzon Command (rightmost). (Photo by Major Harold M Cabunoc/9th CMO Battalion)

PILI, Camarines Sur – The model community project launched by the local authorities here yesterday, February 22, has reunited the families of former NPA rebels.

Separated from their family members who opted to join the communist rebel movement, tears of joy flowed during the groundbreaking ceremony attended by senior military officials, local chief executives and representatives from partner NGOs.

Nena Miraran, 52, of Pamplona town said that her son’s ‘stubbornness’ led to his joining the communist rebel movement. She revealed that she spent many sleepless nights thinking about her NPA son, Jeffrey, 23, who became a hardline communist rebel.

“Everytime I see him, I hug him and urge him to give up and surrender to the government. I told him the futility of his cause,” said Miraran.

“During inclement weather, I can’t help but think about his situation. I was wondering if he was safe for the night and so, I kept on crying everytime I remember him”.

Jeffrey said that he was convinced to join the rebel movement after hearing his friend’s explanation about the problems in the society.

He said that he was lured into the bandit group when his recruiter promised that his family would be receiving the ‘SUPAMIL’ (suporta sa pamilya/family support) in the form of cash allowances and rice subsidy.

Two years of playing hide-and-seek with government forces, he decided to surrender in 2006 after learning that his family have never received any form of financial or material support from the bandit group.

Edwin Nazarionda a.k.a. Ka Marjorie, 40, was an elementary school teacher and a United Methodist pastor when he was recruited to join the militant Bayan Muna. Later, he found himself becoming one of the hardline armed group members who carried out series of tactical offensives against the government forces and installations.

“I left my teaching profession because of their sweet promises such as the monthly P8,000.00 financial support and rice subsidy. I surrendered when I realized that everything was mere sweet-talk and that my family was plunged into the quagmire of extreme poverty,” explained Nazarionda who is the president of the group of former rebels.

Nazarionda was in tears after turning over his firearm in a solemn ground-breaking ceremony attended by 40 other former rebels which was also attended by Governor L-Ray Villafuerte, Major General Ruperto Pabustan and Southern Luzon Command commander Lieutenant General Roland Detabali.

It can be recalled that the establishment of the model community in Pili town was recommended by Major General Ruperto Pabustan to CamSur Governor L-Ray Villafuerte in order to help the former rebels sustain their respective families.

“I am thankful that the good Governor readily supported my proposal. In turn, he asked the support from Mr Tony Meloto of Gawad Kalinga Foundation, who pledged to construct houses for the 41 former rebels who were screened by the joint committee,” said Pabustan.

Lieutenant General Roland Detabali, Southern Luzon Command Chief, said that he has appreciated the initiatives of the 9th ID and the local authorities in the Bicol Region.

“I believe that this is one of the best way to encourage more communist rebels to return to the folds of the law. We cannot solve the social problems that have driven them to fight the government by military solution alone,” said Detabali who talked to the press after the ground breaking ceremony held here.

“I hope that this good project will be re-echoed in the rest of the provinces here in the region and probably, in the whole country,” added Detabali.

The provincial government of Camarines Sur donated the 5.7 hectare lot that can accommodate 100 houses. It is located near the Naga airport, around 4.5 kilometers away from Camp Elias Angeles.

To sustain their livelihood, an income-generating project would be established within the community.

Earlier in the day, at least 500 Army soldiers participated in the launching of the “El Verde 12-Million Trees by 2012” tree planting project of CamSur government, also in Pili town.

Army Soldiers Gear Up for Deployment Around Bicolandia

PILI, Camarines Sur – With the lifting of the holiday ceasefire with the communist rebels a day ago (Jan 4), Army soldiers in the Bicol Region are now preparing themselves for their various deployments.

Due to the recent flooding and landslides, the soldiers are now focusing their efforts in helping the people in various communities especially in Albay and Sorsogon.

Soldiers are among the heavily depended personnel in implementing the ‘preventive evacuation’ of people during natural calamities.

About two weeks ago, hundreds of Army soldiers and twenty military transport trucks were deployed to haul flood and landslide victims towards safer areas around Albay.

Soldiers were credited for the reduction of casualties during the said calamity which struck during the Christmas season. Local authorities reported three dead out of thousands of people who were displaced by heavy flooding.

Alerted by the weather bureau’s forecasts about possible rains in the coming days, Major General Ruperto Pabustan, the Commander of the 9th Infantry Division, directed his subordinate commanders to prepare their transport assets and personnel for disaster risk reduction (DRR) missions.

"I have ordered my unit leaders to coordinate with the local government in their respective area of responsibility in determining the areas vulnerable to disaster. The military is very much willing to be an ally with all the stakeholders in the community as regards to these DRR efforts,” said Pabustan.

The context of this alliance was based from the Hygo Framework for Action, requiring the active participation and involvement of local government sectors at different levels.

“We are not only confronting the threats against our national security, but also the emerging threats from natural disasters such as typhoons, volcanic eruptions and flooding which are all natural occurrences here in the region,” added Pabustan.

Seeing the waning influence of the communist rebels in the hinterlands, the soldiers are deployed primarily for the various pro-poor development projects and programs of the government.

The soldiers have also maintained presence in some areas where development projects are implemented by the government. Included in these projects are the Solong Hydroelectric plant in Catanduanes and the road pavement leading to the tourist spots in Caramoan peninsula.

The demand for ‘revolutionary tax’ and the terroristic actions by the CPP-NPA had stalled some of these ‘flagship projects’ midyear in 2010. The rebels torched down heavy-construction equipment owned by private contractors who refused to pay extortion money to them, in Camarines Sur and in the island province of Catanduanes.

Colonel Leoncio Cirunay, Operations Officer of the 9th Infantry Division said that combat operations are not the top priority in accordance to the new AFP campaign plan in defeating the communist insurgency.

“We have convinced the people that this fight against the communist rebels is not only ours (soldiers). For this reason, they have secretly eased our problem by providing us with vital information about the terrorist rebels through text messages,” declared Cirunay.

Cirunay likewise said that human rights protection and the respect for the provisions of the International Humanitarian Law are given emphasis by the operating troops. “Relevant topics which tackle these issues (human rights and IHL) are included in our various sustainment training programs,” added Cirunay.

In Calendar Year 2010, soldiers scored against the rebels through their so-called ‘precision strikes’ deep inside rebel-influenced areas resulting to successful encounters and the neutralization of the rebel’s top leaders.

“Here in Bicol, the communist rebels can run but they have nowhere to hide. While busying ourselves with our ‘pro-poor projects’, we can easily respond to any call from our civilian friends who are always on the lookout for the presence of the communist rebels who come to terrorize the local villagers,” added Cirunay.

The Demise of the Communist Insurgency in the Bicol Region

Recovered armaments after an encounter with communist terrorists in Mabanate, Pilar Sorsogon on 25 Sept 2009.

Major Harold M Cabunoc showing the recovered PTC cards to residents of Caramoran town in Catanduanes where a clash with NPA extortionists transpired prior to the May 2010 elections.

9ID soldiers helping in the clean up drive in Puting Sapa Elementary School which was hit by ash fall in the first week of November 2010.

An Army female officer reading a story to the pupils of Hinipaan Elementary School in Camarines Norte where the Inquirer Read Along was held.

Philippine Army soldiers and civilian participants during the Isarog watershed tree planting activity.

Recovered CPP-NPA paraphernalia after an encounter with communist terrorists in Mabanate, Pilar Sorsogon on 25 Sept 2009.

Albay Governor Joey Salceda and MGen Ruperto Pabustan during the visit of the former in Hqs 9ID.

Soldiers and civilian friends singing Christmas carols for the captured NPA rebel, Elmer Escobido aka Ka Alvin, in Sorsogon.

MGen Ruperto Pabustan and former DND Secretary Norberto Gonzales witnessed the surrender of firearms from partisan armed groups in Masbate on 27 April 2010.

PILI, Camarines Sur – The Philippine Army claims that the insurgency in the Bicol Region is seeing its natural death, a military report says .

In it’s year-ender report released to the media, Major General Ruperto Pabustan, Commander of the 9th Infantry Division based here said that records in his office show that the number of the CPP-NPA’s members have been drastically reduced for the past two years.

“From its top strength of about 520 members in January 2009, we have reduced their number by 242 thereby dwindling their strength to its lowest number of 278 regular fighters as of today.

This significant reduction of enemy personalities is recapitulated as follows: 49 killed, 125 surrendered, 25 captured, 39 apprehended and 4 arrested,” declared Pabustan.

The series of encounters and the tip-offs about the location of the rebels’ arms storage areas, resulted to the confiscation of 103 firearms. In July, captive rebels who surrendered during an encounter led the troops to a large arms hoard in Lupi town in Camarines Sur.

Due to their dwindling combat power, red rebels are forced to use Cebu-made low-powered firearms such as localized versions of 9mm Ingram Submachine Pistols and Cal .38 revolvers.

Pabustan also said that 3 ranking NPA leaders were among those killed including Elmer Osila and Eleuterio Mangampo both Front Committee commanders adding that, “these NPA leaders were spotted roaming the hinterland with less than 10 followers, indicating their problems on recruiting new members”.

The newly-installed commander of the Front Committee 79, Jason Brul, 34, who was captured in the latest clash with government troops early this month, have intended to go back to the mainstream society.

Military authorities here have claimed that the ‘precision strikes’ against the armed rebels were attributed to the growing number of tipsters among the civilian residents.

It was also reported that most local folks have secretly opposed the imposition of the rebels’ main source of income, their extortion activities.

Marketed as “revolutionary tax”, ordinary farmers and small-time entrepreneurs were not spared from these forcible collection of extortion money by the rebels in the countryside.

The effective information dissemination, dialogues and security operations by the Army forces, extortion collection was down to P14-Million this year as compared to whooping P19-Million last year, as indicated by the documents confiscated from the bandits.

Meanwhile, the collection of the permit-to-campaign fees from local politicians was down to P12.5-Million from its previous collection which neared P15-Million both during 2004 and 2007 elections.

During the 2010 national elections, Army forces in the Bicol Region confiscated the color-coded PTC cards being distributed by red rebels in the countryside.

One politician who ran for a congressional seat in Catanduanes allegedly paid P2.5-Million to the rebels. A local tipster led the troops to the location of the NPA extortionists who attempted to collect PTC fees prior to the elections, resulting to a bloody clash and the recovery of vital evidences pinpointing to the massive extortion activities by the rebels.

Gradually earning the support from the civilian population, the Philippine Army launched various peace and development programs in coordination with the local government and with the support of NGOs.

Using the campaign strategy of “winning the peace” by assuming the support role in nation-building efforts of the national government, Pabustan claimed that his soldiers have prioritized the implementation of various infrastructure projects employing the Army engineers and with the consultation from various stakeholders in the communities.

Dubbed as the Kalayaan sa Barangay Program projects, these include the construction of school buildings, electrification systems, water systems and farm to market roads (FMR).

In CY 2010, the Army’s 51st Engineering Brigade completed P175-Million worth KBP projects including 28 school buildings, 31 water systems, 20 health centers and 41 farm-to-market roads which were all implemented in the rebel-influenced villages in Camarines Sur.

Believing that the implementation of various infrastructure projects can alleviate the economic suffering of the people, soldiers intensified its security operations to flush out NPA extortionists who threatened to derail various development projects around Bicol region. Five soldiers including an officer and 2 militiamen lost their lives while protecting such projects this year alone.

These important development projects include the road pavement leading to the tourist spots in Caramoan peninsula, the hydroelectric plant in Catanduanes and the diversion road leading to the rising international airport in Daraga town in Albay.


Governor Joey Salceda of Albay, in a statement released to the media, said that, “the semblance of no-conflict and peace are the reasons of the fast economic growth of the region despite of the fact that all other factors remains the same as in the past”.

In a similar note, Governor L-Ray Villafuerte of Camarines Sur said that the “successful security operations launched by the Army soldiers are directly attributed to the growing number of foreign and local tourists who flock to the region every year”.

For the past two years (2009-2010), soldiers were also trained properly on civil-military operations and on human rights protection.

“We have definitely won the hearts and minds of the people due to our much improved human rights record. We have ensured that non-combatants were not caught in the crossfire and those who surrendered during clashes were protected from harm as exemplified by my soldiers’ actions in Sorsogon and in Camsur encounters,” added Pabustan.

In his own statement during a media interview on December 14, Jason Brul, the captured commander of the NPA’s Front Committee 79, expressed his sincerest gratitude to the soldiers who spared his life and respected his rights.

In contrast, soldiers and paramilitary forces have fallen victims to the NPA’s unchanged policy on extra-judicial killings.

Six soldiers and eight CAFGU personnel have died due to liquidations by the NPA’s death squads known as the Special Partisan Unit (SPARU).

Forty five (45) people, mostly civilians, were killed through summary executions this year. In 2009, 52 innocent souls were also victims of the NPA terrorists killing spree, victimizing not only military personnel but the civilian population as well as their own comrades who were punished through the “Kangaroo court”.

The successful military operations conducted by the Philippine Army and the mounting support from the civilian populace and the local leaders have significantly lessened the rebel’s influence even the upland villages.

These are the factors which led to the “natural death” of Bicol’s communist insurgency.

Army Soldiers Render Christmas Songs to NPA Rebels

THE TRUE ESSENCE OF CHRISTMAS. Army soldiers from the 9th Infantry Division and media personnel joined together to greet the wounded rebel, Elmer Escobido aka Ka Alvin, by rendering Christmas songs for him at his hospital bed in a local hospital in Sorsogon City. (Photo by Marco Balinia/9ID Public Affairs Office)

SORSOGON CITY – Army soldiers visited the captured NPA rebels to render Christmas songs and share some gifts to them at 9:30am today, a military official said.

LtCol Rodolfo Batang, Civil Military Operations officer of the 9th Infantry Division said that he was directed by Major General Ruperto "Raffy" Pabustan, the Commander of the 9th Infantry Division, to bring some Christmas gifts for the three captured rebels.

Batang and 10 other soldiers trooped to the hospital bed of Elmer Escobido a.k.a. Ka Alvin 24, who is still recuperating from his wounds in a local hospital here.

Escobido can barely talk but smiled when soldiers, together with the local media and hospital personnel sang "Ang Pasko ay Sumapit" for him. He was given a cash gift of P5,000.00 as part of the Army's medical assistance.

"This is our humble way of showing to you the true essence of Christmas which is sharing the blessings from God. As promised, we will help you return to the mainstream society," said Batang.

Minutes later, the soldiers proceeded to the nearby jail where Escobido's comrades are incarcerated.

Initially hesitant to face his soldier visitors, Jason Brul aka Ka Butch, was finally convinced by one of the officers who went inside his prison cell.

As he walked outside with Nelson Punilas, his comrade, soldiers greeted him with their rendition of the Taglish version of the birthday song as he sat in a wooden stool beside Punilas.

"I am very thankful for my friends who took time to visit me here again," said the beaming Brul, who has just turned 34 today.

The three red rebels are facing raps of illegal possession of firearms and explosives before a local court in Bulusan and Gubat town.

He also expressed his Christmas wishes to his comrades who are still in the boondocks. "I wish you all good health and happiness this Christmas," said Brul.

Though hesitant to fully express his intention to finally cooperate with the peace efforts of the government, he declared that he now wants a peaceful life after spending 7 long years away from his growing family of 4 children.

As soldiers started to bade goodbye, Brul returned to his cell with his goodies and birthday cake, smiling at his cellmates who were all green with envy for his day's blessings from his 'former enemies'.

Major Harold Cabunoc, Spokesperson of the 9th Infantry Division, escorted Jason Brul aka Ka Butch from his prison cell. Following behind them is Nelson Punilas, Brul's comrade who was also captured during a clash with government troops on December 7, 2010.

Major Harold M Cabunoc presents the birthday cake to Jason Brul who celebrates his 34th birthday today. Photo was taken in the BJMP prison compound in Sorsogon City at around 11am today, December 24.

Stop Child Exploitation!

Mga kababayan, ngayon pong kapaskuhan ay ating pagmuni-munihan ang landas na tinatahak ng ating buhay at ng ating pamayanan. Atin pong iwasto ang mali at lalo pa nating pag-ibayuhin ang gawaing mabuti para sa kapwa at sa ating mga pamilya. Importante sa lahat ay atin pong gabayan ang ating mga anak at kabataan tungo sa makabuluhan at produktibong pamumuhay. Lagi po nating tandaan na ang mga kabataan ang pag-asa ng ating bayan at ang sarili nating mga anak ang magiging sandigan natin sa ating pagtanda.

Army Dragon Boat Team Rules International Competition in CamSur

LORD OF THE WATERS. The Philippine Army Dragon Boat Team led by Sgt Usman Anterola takes into position during the final heat of the International Dragonboat Competition held in CamSur Watersports Complex yesterday, October 17, 2010. Besting 62 other competing teams, Team Army bagged two championship trophies (250m and 400m events) and the $3,500.00 cash prize. (Photo by HAROLD M CABUNOC)

MATAGUMPAY NA NAIPANALO NG DRAGONBOAT TEAM NG PHILIPPINE ARMY ANG DALAWANG EVENTS SA GINANAP NA INTERNATIONAL DRAGON BOAT COMPETITION KAHAPON SA CAMSUR WAKEBOARD COMPLEX CAMARINES SUR.

AYON KAY MAJOR HAROLD CABUNOC, TAGAPAGSALITA NG 9TH INFANTRY DIVISION NG PHILIPPINE ARMY NA SINAKSIHAN ANG NATURANG PATIMPALAK, TINALO NG ARMY TEAM ANG 62 NA MGA MAGAGALING NA KATUNGGALING MGA ROWING TEAMS NA KALAHOK SA NATURANG SPORTING EVENTS.

SA UMAGA PA LANG AY NAIPANALO NA NG ARMY TEAM ANG 400-METER EVENT NA KUNG SAAN AY NABULSA NILA ANG CASH PRIZE NA $2,000 AT CHAMPIONSHIP TROPHY.

KINAHAPUNAN, NAIPANALO NAMAN NG ARMY TEAM ANG 250-METER EVENT AT NAIDAGDAG ANG CASH PRIZE NA $1,500 AT CHAMPIONSHIP TROPHY.

NAGING MA-KONTROBERSIYA ANG LARO SA 250-METERS PAGKATAPOS NA BANGGAIN NG RCP ROWING TEAM ANG CROWD-FAVORITE NA ARMY TEAM SA FINALS DAKONG ALAS-SINGKO.

KAHIT NAPALIKO AT HUMINA NA ANG TAKBO NG ARMY TEAM AY NAGAWA NILANG IBUHOS ANG LAHAT NG LAKAS UPANG TALUNIN ANG UMUUSAD NANG MARINE-FLEET TEAM NA GUSTO RING MAKAMIT ANG CHAMPIONSHIP TROPHY.

AYON KAY SGT USMAN ANTEROLA, ANG TEAM CAPTAIN NG ARMY DRAGON BOAT TEAM, SILA AY NANAGUMPAY DAHIL SA KANILANG DISIPLINA AT SA DEDIKASYON NG LAHAT NG KANILANG MIYEMBRO.

INIAALAY DIUMANO NILA ANG KANILANG KARANGALAN KAY LIEUTENANT GENERAL ARTURO ORTIZ ANG COMMANDING GENERAL PHILIPPINE ARMY AT SA BUONG PHILIPPINE ARMY NA KANILANG KINABIBILANGAN.

IPINAABOT DIN NI MAJOR GENERAL RUPERTO PABUSTAN, PINUNO NG 9TH INFANTRY DIVISION ANG KANYANG LUBOS NA KASIYAHAN SA KARANGALANG IBINIGAY SA PHILIPPINE ARMY.

LALONG NIRERESPETO AT KINILALA ANG KAKAIBANG KAKAYAHAN NG MGA SUNDALO DITO SA BIKOL REGION DAHIL SA IPINAKITANG KAGALINGAN NG ARMY DRAGON BOAT TEAM AYON KAY PABUSTAN.

CPP/NPA Campus Recruitment

The following videos are based on true account of students-turned-NPA combatants...You be the judge if this is continuously happening in our schools nationwide.





*Thanks to "pulangbagwis" for sharing these 2 videos.

Philippine Army Engineers Complete P175 Million-Worth Infrastructure Projects in CamSur

CAMP ELIAS ANGELES, Pili, Camarines Sur – The Philippine Army Engineers have completed P175 million worth infrastructure projects which were part of the Kalayaan sa Barangay Program (KBP) projects, a military officer said.

Major Harold M Cabunoc, 9ID Spokesperson, said that 138 completed infrastructure projects were turned-over to the local government officials of Camarines Sur during a simple turn-over rites held in the provincial capitol yesterday (18 June).

“Our 51st Engineering Brigade has completed various projects including 28 school buildings, 31 water systems, 20 health centers and 41 farm-to-market roads, which were implemented in 8 different municipalities in Camsur province” said Cabunoc.

Barangay Chair Jinet Delgado of Palsong Village in Bula town came to witness the turn-over ceremony. She was very happy that the soldiers came to help construct additional classrooms in her village.

“I could not contain my happiness for the help extended to us by the Philippine Army. In the past, some of our school children were having classes under the shades of the trees, due to over-population in our public schools,” said Delgado.

In her speech, Mayor Jeanette Bernaldez, the mayor of Bato town, shared her experience about the lack of roads in her hometown.

“When I visited the constituents of my barangays, it was very difficult for me to travel due to the problem of inaccessibility of the remote villages; but now, we are blessed to have these new roads constructed by the Army Engineers,” she said.

Major General Ruperto Pabustan, Commander of the 9th Infantry Division, said that the implementation of the Army’s peace and development programs is his top priority.

“We cannot defeat the communist insurgency with the use of guns alone. To address the various root causes of the problem, we are helping communities to have access to the basic social services that they need and the KBP projects are among the assistance that we can extend to our people in remote areas,” Pabustan said.

The Kalayaan sa Barangay Program (KBP) projects are part of PGMA’s flagship programs. It is aimed to achieve sustainable peace and development in conflict-affected communities through the accelerated, barangay-focused rehabilitation and development.

Unlike any other development projects of the government, the KBP projects are implemented by the Army Engineers under the over-all supervision of the National Development Support Command (NADESCOM) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Bicolanos And The AFP: Strong Partners In Peace And Development (2)

Daraga, Albay - Another joint medical/dental mission and humanitarian activity led by Team AFP was successfully conducted at the Barangay Hall of Barangay Sipi, Daraga, Albay last September 13, 2009 (Sunday). It was organized by Team AFP (led by the 901st Infantry Brigade), Akbayan Party – Albay Chapter (headed by Toots Rebaks), Junior Chamber International – Daraga and Legazpi City Chapters (headed by Ms. Suzette Conda and Carlo Conda), Adventist Community Service (led by Pastor Chris D. Anson), City Health Office of Legazpi City (headed by Dr. Fulbert Alck Galliego), Barangay Council of Barangay Sipi, Daraga, Albay (represented by Kagawad Evangeline Martinez), Youth Servant Organization (headed by Salve Basaysay), Alpha Kappa Rho Fraternity – Daraga Chapter, and Bombo Radio-Legazpi.

The activity ably provided the following free services, namely: 97 tooth extraction, 245 medical check up/consultations, 1 circumcision, and feeding program (soya milk and bread) for 100 persons. Pastor Chris Anson of Adventist Community Service-Legazpi City likewise held a discussion on practical lifestyle management and awareness wherein 150 persons actively participated. The activity truly brought smiles on the faces of the residents and they were thankful too.

On the other hand, CAPTAIN RAZALEIGH G BANSAWAN, PIO of 901st Infantry Brigade, expressed his sincere gratitude and full appreciation to all the agencies and organizations for their valuable support to the medical/dental mission and humanitarian activity. He noted that the said activity is part of the AFP Community and Development Program in local communities. CAPTAIN BANSAWAN also encouraged other sectors and militant organizations such as BAYAN MUNA, GABRIELA, CONDOR PISTON, ANAKPAWIS, and KMP to participate in this　kind of worthy endeavor instead of maliciously waging disinformation campaign which eventually redounds to disunity in our communities.

Bicolanos and the AFP: Strong Partners in Peace and Development (1)

Mobo, Masbate - Residents from Barangay Marintoc and its neighboring barangays eagerly took the opportunity to be medically treated during a MEDCAP held in Barangay Marintoc Elementary School on April 21, 2009. Barangay Marintoc is one of the barangays in Mobo town that benefited during the RP-US Balikatan humanitarian mission.

Juban, Sorsogon - Military dentists from the AFP and US Forces treating local dental patients during the first day of a 3-day MEDCAP activity held at Tughan Elementary School in Barangay Tughan, Juban, Sorsogon on April 20, 2009. More than a thousand residents of Barangay Tughan and its adjacent barangays benefited on the first day. The activity is part of the RP-US Balikatan exercises in the Bicol Region.

Pio Duran, Albay - Civilian volunteers help a US soldier in making a frame for the construction of a bridge in Barangay Malidong, Pio Duran, Albay on April 15, 2009. The construction of the bridge is part of the Engineering Civic Action Program (ENCAP) is part of the activities during the RP-US Balikatan exercises 2009

Mobo, Masbate - Residents of Barangay Sawang, Mobo, Masbate stood as they keep watch on a US soldier doing his work on a water system that could accommodate more than 100 families in the said community. The project is one of many during the RP-US Balikatan exercises in the Bicol Region.