AFP Bayanihan News

F O R
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P R O G R E S S

Volume 1 No. 6

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P H I L I P P I N E S Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City OCTOBER 2011

CSAFP to submit defense reform blueprint to President Aquino

2011, PHIBLEX Exercises

The RP-US Amphibious Landing Exercise (Phiblex) 2011 was formally opened last 19 October 2011 during ceremonies at the Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) Headquarters in Fort Bonifacio. It is the 28th edition of the annual joint marine exercises. Philippine Exercise Director Brig Gen Eugene Clemen, deputy commandant of the PMC said that the holding of boat raid exercise in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) in Palawan will not affect the present situation in the disputed region. I dont think that this Phiblex 2011 will have adverse implication on the security situation in the region. We have been doing these exercises before. I think this will not affect the present set up, said BGen Clemen. US Exercise Director BGen Craig Timberlake stressed that the main objective of the joint exercises is to improve the interoperability of the Philippine and US troops. BGen Clemen explained that Palawan was chosen as venue for some of the joint exercises like the boat raid, due to its beaches which are appropriate for marine exercises. Aside from Palawan, training exercises were simultaneously held in different venues including Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija; Basa Air Base in Floridablanca, Pampanga the Marine Barracks Gregorio Lim in Ternate, Cavite; Crow Valley in Tarlac, and the Naval Station, San Miguel in San Antonio, Zambales. The 11-day Phiblex training, which ended on Oct 28, also includes disaster response and community development. Troops build classrooms in two barangays in Cavite and Palawan and provided medical and dental outreach services in the host communities.

FP Chief of Staff Gen Eduardo SL Oban Jr will submit to the President a defense reform blueprint that is supposed to promote the efficient use of the militarys resources before he retires from the s e r vi c e in December. My objective is to come up with a blueprint on the table of organizations by the end of October or early November. The blueprint of programs is essential in making the AFP a professional organization, he said during the launch of the Newsbreak book The Enemy Within in Pasig last 05 October 2011. The CSAFP also said the inputs of state agencies like the Department of Budget and Management will be incorporated in the reform plan. He added that the blueprint will

personnel management and development of uniformed personnel. We have to take a look at the trainings that affect our personnel, the General added. The plan will also look into how the military organizes field units, the number of personnel being employed, the equipment needs, and the way resources are handled. It (blueprint) will have to be approved by the secretary of defense, then we go to the table of organization. There, we would see how many people are employed, the military chief said. Ill make sure that I have something to hand over to the President before I retire. When he assumed as AFP Chief of Staff last March, Gen Oban vowed to launch an all out war against corruption and run after those involved in irregularities.

Gen Eduardo SL Oban Jr AFP Chief of Staff, AFP include reforms on AFP personnel management and t he mil ita r ys tab le o f organization. We realize that there are things we need to do aside from financial; and logistical reforms. We have to look at personnel attrition,

Surigao Mining Incident: Extortion not Environment/ Tribal Concerns

lain and simple extortion and not concerns for the environment and the welfare of tribal communities in Surigao del Norte triggered the attack on the 3 mining sites in Claver, Surigao del Norte. This was the assessment of the Armed Forces of the Philippines as stated by BGen Eduardo del Rosario AFP, Commander, of Civil Relations Service, AFP. The claim of Mr Satur Ocampo and Mr George Madlos, a CPP leader in Northern Mindanao, that concerns for the environment and tribal welfare triggered the TMC, PMG and THPAL mining companies to justify this dastardly act of the NPA is far from the truth since these companies have been operating in the mining sites for the last 24 years, so why attack and destroy them just now, BGen Del Rosario said. From media reports alone starting May 2011, 26 NPA violent attacks against business establishments were recorded with estimated damages from P3.2B. Targets are companies involved in infrastructure development, agricult ure, transportation, communication and mining. All these attacks

Soldiers lead in disaster response and rescue operations

have only one primary reason, non-payment of NPA extortion demands or to those who have been paying, unfulf illed obligation to meet their previously agreed amount of payment which ranges from 23% of project costs. These violent attacks on businesses and development projects belies the CPP-NPA-NDFs claim that they are waging a

revolution for the Filipino people but ended up destroying the very foundation for development by depriving ordinary people to get decent jobs, engage in livelihood projects and in general, cripple investments just to finance its dying ideology at the expense of the Filipino people, BGen Del Rosario added.

Rescue teams of the AFP and civilian organizations joined hands in assisting affected residents in Calumpit, Bulacan in bringing them to safer areas at the onslaught of typhoon Quiel. roops from the 1st Civil Relations Group based here linked up with the Disaster Response Task Unit from its main Headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City to conduct disaster response and rescue operations in hardest hit areas in Central Luzon particularly in the province of Bulacan where most towns suffered from flashfloods due to recent typhoons Pedring and Quiel. Despite of heavy rains, strong winds, and deep floodwaters, the 1 st Civil Relations Group, NOLCOM troops spearheaded the conduct of rescue and relief operations particularly in the provinces of Bulacan, Pampanga, Tarlac and Nueva Ecija in joint efforts with other

Dragon boat champions race to save typhoon victims

orld champion Dragon Boat Warriors of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) was dep lo yed in inundated areas in Pampanga and Bulacan in the aftermath of Typhoon Quiel to help save trapped residents who took refuge on the rooftops of their houses. Maj Harold Cabunoc PA team manager of the team said the warriors earlier volunteered their services to help rescue victims trapped in heavily flooded areas and used the actual dragon boat they used in the world competition recently. Maj Cabunoc also said the warriors were deployed last 03

October 2011 at barangay Sagrada, Masantol, Pampanga were thousands of families needed to be immediately evacuated to safer grounds. The Philippine Dragon Boat Federation president Marcia Cristobal provided the boat that can accommodate 20 people. Sgt Usman Anterola team captain, said they employed 8 paddlers in the boat so that they could ferry 12 people at a time. The deployments of the champion team elated Northern Luzon Command Lt Gen Jessie Dellosa even as he asked for more volunteers from the private sector to send their search-andrescue teams to help save lives.

units of the AFP, PNP, government agencies, nongovernment organizations and civilian volunteers. The soldiers did not waste time to extend necessary assistance to affected residents caused by the sudden flashfloods and landslides. Those who were stranded from their houses were immediately evacuated to designated evacuation areas. Elders, pregnant women and young children were also given the necessary care and assistance. Mr. Gavino Reyes, a resident of Sta. Monica, Hagonoy, Bulacan who was rescued by the AFP rescue team expressed his wholehearted appreciation on the efforts of the soldiers for the

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AFP Bayanihan News

October 2011

Editorial
CPP-NPAs diversionary tactics
ON its official website, the Communist Party of the Philippines on October 9 has finally confirmed the death of CPP spokesperson Gregorio Ka Roger Rosal last June 22 due to heart attack. The CPP said that the announcement was delayed due to the intense military operations which prevented the group to inform Rosals family ahead of the public. Rosals demise can be considered as a great loss to the rebel group. He is one of the hardcore CPP-NPA leaders which served as the chief of New Peoples Army (NPA) Melito Glor Command operating in Southern Luzon; became the secretary of the Banahaw-Sierra Madre Front Committee; and served as CPP spokesman in the early 90s. Prior to his death, the military offered medical assistance to Rosal. However, the rebels rejected the said offer, believing that it was just a military strategy to capture the NPA leader. But what puzzled the military is the late announcement of his death. The CPPs reason is very shallow since everyone in the world is just a text away and three months is enough for them to inform the family. It seemed that the CPP has a proper timing on its late public announcement of Rosals death. On the same day, the NPA also released Mayor Henry Dano of Lingig, Surigao del Norte, and his two security escorts. A week before the announcement, the rebels burned mining equipment and buildings of three mining sites when the companies refused to pay revolutionary tax to the group. It had affected more or less 5,000 workers with damages reaching to billions of pesos. Diversionary tactics are now being used by the CPPNPA to avoid being blamed in their atrocities and to divert the attention of the public. On the other hand, it is still visible to the people that at present, rebels have been resorting to banditry to project an image of strength. But in reality they have been dwindling in number and ideology. They are claiming that they are on the cause of the masses and the oppressed but their actions contradict what they are trying to project. Rosals death for instance; he is deprived of what is due to him because of their crooked beliefs. Sad to note that Jose Maria Sison, their founder is now living a comfortable life in the Netherlands while many of the ordinary NPA rebels in the country like Rosal died without any proper medical care in hospital.

NPAs running out of ammo

The New peoples Army is running out of ammunition and has splintered into small groups, after 12 encounters with Army troopers in two months in northern Negros, a military official said. Col Oscar Lactao, 303rd Inf Bde commander said they received reports that the NPA spent about 50 rounds of ammunition while trading shots with government soldiers, before withdrawing, obviously to conserve bullets. In the same period, three armed skirmishes between soldiers and communist rebels also took place in southern Negros and none was recorded in central Negros, military records show. Col Lactao also said the encounters, almost all of which were government-initiated, were part of their sustained security operations against the armed NPA, based on information relayed to them by civilians. He however stressed the need to regulate the sale of ammunition by gun stores, after he received reports that these can be purchased over the counter. To avoid pilferage of ammunition, Col Lactao said, an inspection of guns and ammunition issued to Army soldiers is held every quarter of the year. He also said the rebels have lain low, hid their guns and merged with the populace because of their aggressive military operations against them in northern and southern Negros, together with the implementation of peace and development in the hinterlands.

A Mockery of Justice - AFP

The Armed Forces of the Philippines emphasizes that there are no political prisoners being held in government but only convicted criminals and those who are facing various criminal offenses such as murder, arson, robbery, homicide, kidnapping, and destruction of property. This response came after some organizations and lawmakers belonging to Ma k a b a ya n b l o c u r g e d President Aquino and his administration to free political prisoners. These prisoners are being held in jails because of pending criminal charges filed against them or that they have been convicted of criminal offenses. Giving in to the demand that they be freed as part of confidence building would put into travesty the country's legal process. Let us bear in mind that these persons are held accountable for various crimes against persons ranging from murder, arson, robbery, rape, kidnapping, homicide, and destruction of property among others. Freeing them would do injustice to their victims, says Brigadier General Eduardo D del Rosario, Commander, Civil Relations Service, AFP. The term political prisoner connotes the fact that these persons were arrested solely because of their political beliefs but if they were arrested because of crimes committed against persons and property, it becomes a totally different story. The AFP continues to emphasize the primacy of the peace process and looks forward to the day when all armed conflict in the country will finally end, but not at the expense of our justice system and the victims of CPP-NPANDF atrocities. General Del Rosario further said that Releasing these so called political prisoners is a flawed confidence building measure because it will only tolerate criminal acts and encourage the NPA rebels to endlessly commit heinous crimes since they wont be jailed in the process anyway. I believe that this proposal is counterproductive, unconstitutional and will only serve the vested interest of the CPP-NPA-NDF in sowing further chaos and disorder in our country.

NPA Top leader surrenders in CamSur

A New Peoples Army (NPA) top leader surrendered to authorities in Camarines on 28 September 2011. MGen Josue Gaverza AFP, Comdr, 9ID identified the NPA leader as Danilo Sombrero, aka Ka Ben a resident of Bula, Camarines Sur. He was operating in the hinterlands of CamSur before he surrendered. Ka Ben was accompanied by Herman Quingquing, Barangay captain of Mabalodbalod, Tigaon, CamSur and village councilor W illiam Morales. MGe n Gaverza said Ka Ben decided to return to the fold of law after years of hearing false hopes and promises in the rebel organization. Sombrero according to MGen Gaverza personally surrendered to LTC Ernesto A Cruz, CO, 42nd IBn based in Mabalodbalod village, Tigaon, CamSur. Ka Ben is the chief of the Provincial Operational Command (POC) of the CPP-NPA operating in CamSur. As leader of the POC, Ka Ben is the brain of the organization, planning deployment and tactical operations of the rebel organization of the province. MGen Gaverza said Ka Ben will be assisted by the government where he is entitled to avail the so-called community of hope program, a housing and livelihood program f or rebel re tur nees in Camarines Sur. The program is a joint project of the province of Camarines Sur, Gawad Kalinga and the 9th Infantry Division.

NPA strongholds bared

CSAFP Gen Eduardo SL Oban Jr has identified five areas in the country where New Peoples Army rebels have established footholds. Gen Oban said in an interview that priority areas of the AFP to address insurgency problems are Bicol, Davao del Norte, Negros, Compostela Valley and Samar. The New Peoples Army are concentrated in Compostela Valley, Davao del Norte, Negros, Samar and Bicol Region. These areas are among the problematic and our priority to resolve insurgency problem to establish peace, said Gen Oban. NPA strength has weakened with only 4,000 combatants but the movement is considered a threat to national security and hinders development in the countryside. To address the insurgency movement in the country, he said that they are pursuing programs under the Bayanihan scheme. Through our Bayanihan scheme we will address insurgency particularly in priority areas such as Davao del Norte, Bicol, Negros, Compostela Valley and Samar, he said. Gen Oban expressed optimism that the peace talks between the government and National Democratic Front would end the 40-decade insurgency problem in the country. Meanwhile, MGen Josue Gaverza, Commanding General of the Armys 9th Infantry Division identified the provinces of Sorsogon and Ma s b a t e a s t h e m o s t problematic insurgency areas. He said that Masbate and Sorsogon are very ideal to insurgent groups due to the rugged terrain advantageous for their guerilla operations. MGen Gaverza reported before the Regional Development Council full council meeting that the insurgency problem in Bicol is manageable although there are still a number of clashes between government troops and NPAs.

Human rights watch condemn NPA killings

The New Peoples Army (NPA) is now in the spotlight for its attack on three mining facilities in Surigao del Norte, is being censured by the Human Rights Watch for its cold-blooded killings of civilians. The New York-based rights watchdog said that the NPA should stop the unlawful killings and detention of noncombatants. For four decades the New Peoples Army has offered excuses for coldblooded killings of civilians, said Elaine Pearson, deputy Asia director of Human Rights Watch. Recent attacks show that there has been no real departure from this illegal practice.

Editorial Board
BGEN EDUARDO D DEL ROSARIO AFP Commanding General COL VICENTE GREGORIO B TOMAS PA (GSC) Deputy Commander COL GLENN R FLORES PA (GSC) Chief of Staff LTC AMERIGO A FABRIGAR PAF(GSC) Commander, IDC
- For contributions/comments/suggestions E-mail to idg_crsafp@yahoo.com - For news, views and current issues listen daily to AFP Radio Station DWDD 1130KHz

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AFP Bayanihan News

Page 3

MGen Espino is new AFP Inspector General

MGen Irineo Espino, former chief of the 7th Division based in Nueva Ecija assumed the post of Inspector General in a ceremony in Camp Aguinaldo, last 10 October 2011. The position of Inspector General was held previously in an acting capacity by Navy Captain Crispin Mercado, who took over when VAdm Mario Catacutan retired from the service last month. The Inspector General conducts general periodic inspection in all major units to prevent corruption. AFP Public Affairs chief Col Arnulfo Burgos Jr said MGen Espino is qualified for the post. He would serve as the conscience of the AFP. He will make sure that everything would be conducted properly, Col Burgos said. He has enough experience and he will assume as the AFPs chief examiner at a time when we are implementing reforms, he added. AFP Chief of Staff Gen Eduardo Oban Jr said that he has always looked up to the Office of the Inspector General with high regard, knowing the importance and relevance of the office in the internal affairs of the organization. It has served as the conscience, guiding and guarding us in our affairs. MGen Espino of PMA Class 1979 was appointed commander of the 7th ID on November 17, 2009. He was also the Chief of Staff of the Army and Camp Commander of the Camp Aguinaldo General Headquarters. He is a recipient of the five Distinguished Service Stars and numerous military merit medals as well as various citations from civilian institutions.

Southern Leyte free of insurgency

Southern Leyte has been declared recently as insurgency-free but the military will stay in the province until its police force becomes ready for the task of maintaining peace and order without the AFPs participation. Council members, headed by top officials of the province, and a top officer of the militarys Central Command (Centcom) signed a document declaring Southern Leyte free of communist guerillas. Gov Damian Gaviola Mercado, Vice Gov Miguel Maamo II and LtGen Ralph Villanueva, Centcom Commander, signed the declaration. The signing was witnessed by all the provinces mayors and other top military officers. Centcom PIO LTC Christopher Tampus said Southern Leyte was declared insurgency-free because three years have passed and there are no guerillas sighted or a report of an NPA attack in the province. A province is categorized as insurgency-free when the threat posed by the New Peoples Army is successfully downgraded into a mere law and order problem, said LTC Tampus last 24 October 2011. Southern Leyte now counts sixth as insurgency-free together with Biliran, Bohol, Cebu, Guimaras and Siquijor. LT Gen Villanueva said the main factor which led to the declaration of Southern Leyte as an insurgent-free province is the determination, commitment and sincerity of the stakeholders especially the local chief executives in solving insurgency problems.

Bayanihan drills for students undertaken

Banking on education as the first line of defense against any calamity, the 11th Inf Bn, PA involve d themselves in disaster preparedness drills among students in Negros Oriental as part of its Bayanihan para sa Kabataan Securing the Youth Program. LTC Ramil Bitong, Comdr, 11th IB said the program aims to help the youth become responsible and productive citizens of the community, and also provides them with training in survival techniques, crime prevention, among others. LTC Bitong said more than 200 students and faculty members of St Francis High School in Vallehermoso, Negros Oriental, recently completed a two-day disaster preparedness drill oin earthquake and fire, with Army soldiers and Bureau of Fire and Protection as facilitators. The group was taught what actions to take in case earthquakes and fires occur, while they are in school, houses and other facilities. Soldiers of the 11th IB also joined the clean-up drive and bloodletting activities in La Libertad and Canalaon City, Negros Oriental, respectively. LTC Bitong said the 11IB will continue supporting and participating in the activities that uphold peace, security and development. He also lauded the harmonious relationship between the military, LGU and other stakeholders which, he said, greatly contributes in the progress of Negros Oriental.

News briefs, News briefs, News briefs

Rebels attack soldiers helping typhoon victims At least ten (10) rebels attacked the temporary command post of Alpha Company, 49IB in Bulan, Sorsogon on 29 September 2011. The soldiers were busy responding to residents and victims of typhoon Pedring. CO, CMOA Battalion LTC Neneveigh Alcovindas said the soldiers were deployed in the areas to help and assist the residents affected by the storm. CRSAFP DRTU The Civil Relations Service, AFP Disaster Response Unit immediately responded to help in the rescue efforts in Calumpit, and Hagonoy, Bulacan. Together with Philippine Army Reservists volunteers, the team proceeded to the area from 01 02 October 2011 and distributed relief goods consisting of boxes of instant noodles, bottled water, clothing and other essentials, urgently needed by the victims of strong typhoon Quiel that brought heavy rains and deep floodwaters. CRSAFP DRTU was directed by LTC Rolando Rodil, Chief Operations branch of CRSAFP. The DRTU was led by Maj Amadeo Saturnino also of the CRSAFP. About 1,000 victims that temporarily stayed in the Malolos Sports Complex and Calumpit Capitol Gymnasium availed of the DRTU services. Service Caravan A health and social service caravan was recently conducted at San Isidro, Davao del Norte by the Davao del Norte provincial government jointly with the military and police in Bgy Datu Balong. A total of 1,000 residents benefited from feeding, circumcision, minor surgery, medical-dental check-up, distribution of seedlings/ vegetable fertilizers for farming, distribution of slippers, toothbrushes, boxes of milk and used clothing for children. Reservists donate blood An equivalent to 14,400 cc of different blood types was donated by the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) of the Mt province State Polytechnic College. Marcellus Diaz, Philippine Red Cross Mt Province Chapter Administrator said the bloodletting activity was coordinated by 2Lt Eric Noguera, CO, 207th Community Defense Center. The team was headed by Dr. Davy Ayan of the Bontoc General Hospital (BoGH) and composed of four medical technologists, two nurses from Luis Hora Memorial and Region al Hospital. The BoGH supervised the blood donation assisted by the Red Cross Mt Province Chapter. Image of the Blessed Virgin Mary visits CRSAFP In connection with the celebration of the Holy Rosary month, the image of the Blessed Virgin Mary was brought to the Civil Relations Service, AFP last 12 October 2011 from AFPRESCOM. The image of Our Lady was accompanied by 2Lt Walter Tamboong, CHS. The Blessed Mother stayed at the CRS headquarters for 2 days. BGen Eduardo del Rosario AFP, Comdr, CRSAFP led the personnel in bringing her image to GHQ & HSC also in Camp Aguinaldo. The unit is very fortunate to have been one of the selected units for her scheduled visit. Camote Cookbook The AFP Officers Ladies Club will launch a cookbook on camote recipes by November. The organization is composed of wives of top military officials led by Mrs Concepcion Oban, wife of CSAFP Gen Eduardo SL Oban Jr. Mrs Oban said the book could be given away as Christmas presents. Proceeds from the fund-raising project will support the schooling of children of ordinary soldiers. The cookbook contains the benefits of camote to health. A Camote Festival was also held this October. Soldiers lead.From page 1 timely response to the call of the flood victims specially in the province of Bulacan. He noted the soldiers readiness and preparedness during times of calamities wherein they were the first to respond in times of disasters. LTC Rosendo Armas, Group Commander, 1st CRG, CRSAFP said that We cannot control and prevent natural disasters to happen but we have the capability to exert efforts and minimize the effects of such calamities. Every little own way of helping the typhoon victims is worth more than a fulfillment of a dream, LTC Armas added.

Water Purification System during calamities and disasters

A new team from the AFP is unique, aside from being involved in the rescue and relief efforts, it also brought a new weapon the ASPEN 2000DM, the latest Water Purification System of the AFP donated by the United States Marine Forces Pacific to provide potable and safe drinking water in times of calamities and disasters. The team was sent to Bulacan and Pampanga provinces and helped address the supply of drinking water in affected areas. The ASPEN 2000DM is a compact motorized pump and filter system capable of purifying both freshwater and saltwater. It produces 2000 gallons of purified water per day when using fresh water while 1800 gallons per day when filtering salt water. It is one of the most compact, ve r s a ti le , f ul l fe a tu r es , computer controlled and energy efficient filtration system today.

Troopers overrun NPA camp

Soldiers overran an NPA camp in a remote village in Abra where eight NPAs were killed, said MGen Romel Gomez commander of the Armys 5th Infantry Division last 10 October 2011. Supported by attack helicopters government troops engaged a band of 20 communist rebels in a firefight for some hours. Col Noel Baluyan, commander of the 41st Infantry Battalion said his men recovered eight highpowered firearms, assorted ammunitions and personal belongings of the rebels.

Most Filipinos think peace pact possible

At least 71 percent of Pinoys believe that a peace agreement between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) would be reached according to a recent survey. The MILF is the largest Muslim rebel group with about 12,000 soldiers, has for the past decade sought to negotiate a settlement rather than achieve its aims through armed insurgency, which was at its height during the 1970s when an all-out war raged.

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AFP Bayanihan News

October 2011

Soldier-Teachers in Zamboanga
LTC Alex Rillera, 44th IB commander, said soldiers who are graduates of or have completed some units in education courses now serve as teachers to provide basic literacy education to villagers who, due to far distance of their homes from public elementary schools have never entered a classroom in the lifetime. This is through the Armys Literacy Patrol System or ALPS. LTC Rillera said the six-month literacy course is focused on Reading, Riting, and Rithmetic or the so-called Three Rs and livelihood skills to enable the learners become more useful, more productive and more lawabiding citizens of their community. He further explained that soldiers, as major part of their civil military operations, have to undertake not only combat activities but also worthwhile humanitarian endeavors such as the ALPS in the wake of growing problem of illiteracy and ignorance among less fortunate Filipinos living in farflung communities without public schools. Areas recently completed are barangays Catuyan and Bitugan in Sirawai where it graduated 60 learners, barangays Sto Nio and Puliran in Sibuco with 95 graduates, and Sitio Sta Maria in Siocon and barangay New Salvacion in Labason with 75 completers. The soldiersteachers have turned 230 Zamboanga villagers literate.ALPS finishers mostly Muslims and native Subanons were given by the 44th IB free ALPS T-shirts and assorted foodstuff such as rice, canned goods and noodles as a reward for their effort in turning themselves into functionally literates. LTC Rillera expressed confidence that with their knowledge in basic literacy education and livelihood skills, the ALPS-trained villagers would be able to contribute to the maintenance of peace and order in their respective areas. The 44IB will continue the Armys ALPS program until all remote school-less barangays and sitios in southwestern ZaNorte will have fully served even as he thanked all municipal and barangay leaders in assisting the soldiers in their mission to spread basic literacy among local no-readno-write residents.

Sorsogon regains its peace

The village of Pandan in Castilla, Sorsogon is known to be a sanctuary for communist rebels and education is limited to the place for teachers fear to be assigned in the village. Col. Felix Castro, Commander of 903rd Infantry Brigade said that three years ago the village of Pandan was infiltrated and controlled by the New Peoples Army (NPA) under the Front Committee Jaylo Command that is operating in Donsol, Pilar and Castilla in Sorsogon. The NPA took advantage of the remote location of the village due to the poor condition of the road. A former NPA supporter named Edenicia Celano, 43 years old, a farmer and a mother of five said that from 2000 to 2005 a third of Pandan villagers were supporters of the NPA. Celanos uncle who is an NPA guerrilla was tracked down by his father that leads him to experience physical abuse from the soldiers. But after the rebels asked them to use their house for meetings and would risk their lives if soldiers caught up with them, they learned to refuse the request of the communist rebels. Lt. Col. Neneviegh Alcovindas, Chief of 9th Infantry Division Civil Military Operations said community organizing is an effective tool in bringing back the hearts and minds and the villagers of Pandan as a whole, to the government. This is rooted from the militarys decision in 2005 and 2006 to use noncombat The military would continue noncombat missions until livelihood groups were organized and defense groups are united and this allows them to expand to other villages once controlled by the rebels. An impressive change happened to the once remote village because of the efforts of the Armed Forces to win the hearts and the minds of the people. The military begins to sustain community organizing that leads to a successful victory to the villagers of Pandan where they can now experience peace.

Injured NPA rebel to support government

A self-confessed New Peoples Army red fighter, who was injured in a gunbattle in an encounter last September 2011 in Brgy Trinidad, Guihulngan, Negros Oriental, and later treated by army soldiers, has pledged his support to the government, LTC Ramil Bitong, 11th Inf Bn commander said. The injured rebel identified as Johnny Surpida, 30, of Sitio Mabudlis, Brgy Magsaysay, Guihulngan, expressed his disappointment and bitterness towards his comrades who deserted him during the armed clashes with 32nd Division Reconnaissance Company soldiers, even when he was begging for their help to help him escape, LTC Bitong said. Quoting from Surpidas statements, LTC Bitong said that, instead of helping him, the fleeing rebels took his M-16 assault riffle, leaving him bleeding and dying. Soldiers pursuing the fleeing rebels, found Surpida, and immediately gave first aid treatment, and moved him to a safer place, while the running gunbattle was ongoing, he added. Because of the seriousness of the gunshot wound in his back, LTC Bitong said the 32nd DRC soldiers decided to bring Surpida to the Guihulngan District Hospital, and painstakingly carried him on a hammock through difficult and treacherous trails towards the evacuation area.

AFP conducts photo exhibit in Paseo del Mar

The Western Mindanao Command (WESMINCOM) Civil through the 4 th Relations Group, CRSAFP held a 3-day Photo Exhibit and an au di o vi deo presentation at Paseo del Mar last 10-12 October 2011. LTC Gamal S Hayudini PAF, GC, 4CRG, CRSAFP invited the people of Zamboanga as well as visitors to come and see the photo exhibit where it showcased the different activities participated and conducted by the military in the whole of western Mindanao area of responsibility. LTC Hayudini said it is very timely to promote the different IPSP Bayanihan activities carried out by the different military units on said dates as there would be a good number of people who came to this City and to celebrate the Zamboanga Hermosa Festival. More so, this Festival is an appropriate avenue to further appeal to the different stakeholders in their role in achieving lasting peace in Mindanao. He added that the AFP is one with the City of Zamboanga in celebrating and promoting the City as one of the must see tourist destinations with a very rich diverse culture of Christian and Muslims. Meanwhile, Task Force Zamboanga is working hand-in-hand with the Philippine National Police and other law-enforcement agencies to ensure peace and order in the observance of the festival.

Soldiers build school in Sorsogon

The AFP has stepped up its program dubbed Gusto Kong Mag-Aral (I want to study) after it turned over to residents of a remote barangay in Bicol province a twoclassroom school building constructed by soldiers. Pandan village in Castilla town in Sorsogon province was the latest recipient of the AFPs Gusto Kong Mag-Aral project. The Department of Education (DepEd) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) thru the National Development Support Command (NADESCOM) together with the local government unit of Castilla, Sorsogon and ABS-CBN Sagip Kapamilya, joined in an effort to address the problem particularly in Sorsogon. AFP NADESCOM Public Affairs Officer, Maj Emmanuel Garcia said Gusto Kong MagAral involves a series of projects consisting of construction of classrooms in different parts of the country and partnering with different organizations and individuals to provide better quality education to marginalized communities. Maj Garcia also said the project was conceived when the groundbreaking and construction of the twoclassroom building was started last April 14, 2011 in Brgy Yunot, Bulalacao, Oriental Mindoro and its subsequent turnover on July 19. Several school buildings are now being constructed under this partnership in Brgy Salvacion, Albuera, Leyte; Brgy Dicamay, San Mariano, Isabela; Brgy Paqngi, Maco, Compostela Valley; Brgy San Jose, Sto Tomas, Davao del Norte; Brgy Cabangcalan, Aroroy, Masbate; Brgy Calingatnan, Borongan, Eastern Samar and Pinukpuk Central, Pinukpuk, Kalinga, Apayao. Three more will be started in the coming weeks, he added. Brgy Pandan is one of the 34 villages of Castilla, a 3rd class municipality and the hometown of AFP Chief of Staff Gen Eduardo SL Oban Jr. The lack of classrooms, according to teachers, was the main reason why they cannot accept more students. The two-classroom school building will now allow the school to accept students up to the 4th year next school year.

Watch your health!

A good sleep is required You need to sleep well to get a good health. Everyday you must get a sleep of 7-8 hours. If you sleep less then you might have hormonal imbalance. You must get uninterrupted sleep to have a smooth metabolic system. If you are not getting an uninterrupted sleep then you should avoid the followings: Never intake alcohol before sleeping. Before going to bed do not consume tea, coffee or chocolates as they are stimulants. The sleeping habit should be regularized. Your bedroom should be clean and tidy. The dcor that you use should be soothing. The daytime nap should be shorter. Say No to tobacco If you want to stay healthy and young you will have to give up smoking. You must have read about the side effects of tobacco in magazines, newspapers and different books. The bottom line is that tobacco kills. Tobacco will also let different diseases attack you. So, if you are in a habit of smoking then give away the habit. On the other hand if you are a non-smoker then never get into smoking. Quit smoking, stay healthy!