More war materials, bombs found

          The internal security operations launched by the Southern Luzon Command continue to gain ground with the recovery of an M16 assault rifle and 10 improvised explosive devices following the August 14 encounter in Masbate.

            In a belated report, Solcom spokesman Col. Generoso Bolina said members of the 9th IB under Lt./Col Julian C. Pacatan, clashed with several New People’s Army guerillas in Sitio Little Baguio, Barangay, Cagay, Masbate City.

            “After a brief exchange of gunfire, the rebels scampered in different directions leaving behind the said war material,” Bolina said.

            Solcom commander Lt. General Roland Detabali ordered his men to go after a group of rebels who tried over run the Mobo Municipal Police Station that resulted in the injury of five policemen.

            A vehicle carrying responding policeen fbom the Special Task Force Masbate hit a landmine planted by the guerrillas along their route. Injured were PO1 Baldwin Odtojan and PO2 Ernie Concepcion.

            Meanwhile, PFC Ariel Semolava was killed after their patrol car also hit a landmine in Barangay Mayrangan, Masbate City while his colleagues PFC Henry Maisog and Pvts. Ryan Barayoga and Jomar Erediano were wounded.

            Despite the casualties, Bolina  said Solcom remains on tract in its ISO campaign. He said the 4th IB under Lt./Col. Wilbur C. Mamawag also recovered hundreds of rounds of ammunition for M14 assault rifles after a clash with in Sitio Liberty, Barangay  Benli, Bulalacao, Oriental Mindoro. (Journal On-line) August 17, 2011

5 Policemen repulse NPA raid in Mobo Station

             About 50 suspected communist rebels disguised as soldiers have attacked a town hall compound in Masbate but were repulsed by police. Three policemen were wounded in the clash.

            Regional police commander Cecilio Calleja says the New People's Army rebels attempted to enter a police station early Sunday in the government compound in Mobo town in Masbate province.

            Calleja says the policemen sensed it was an attack and opened fire, sparking a gunbattle. The Maoist guerrillas withdrew toward a forested mountain after an hour, reportedly carrying some wounded comrades.

            Government negotiator Alex Padilla, who heads talks with the rebels, renewed a call for a cease-fire.

            Talks resumed this year on ending one of Asia's longest-running Marxist rebellions, but clashes have continued. (AP) August 14, 2011

Army re-affirms commitment, adherence to int’l humanitarian law

            SORSOGON CITY, August 10 (PIA) -- “IHL: The International Criminal Court and RA 9851: Protecting Against Impunity as an Instrument of Peace,” was the theme to the recently concluded re-affirmation of commitment of the officers and men of 903rd Brigade, Philippine Army and their adherence to the International Humanitarian Law (IHL).

               In a simple ceremony on Monday, August 8, held at the 903rd Infantry Brigade (IB) 9th Infantry Division (ID), Philippine Army based in Brgy. Poblacion, Castilla, Sorsogon, Atty. Arnulfo Perete, as Provincial Chairman of the IHL Committee, Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Sorsogon Chapter led the Pledge of Commitment and Adherence to IHL and likewise delivered a message to inspire the military men and officers in continuously protecting the country and the sovereignty of the Filipino people in their fight to achieve lasting peace.

              903rd Brigade Commander Col. Felix J. Castro, Jr. also delivered a message before his men challenging them to do its best to be faithful to the provisions contained in the International Humanitarian Law.

            Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Sorsogon Infocenter Manager Irma Guhit, meanwhile, graced the activity and discussed the salient points provided in the International Humanitarian Law and Republic Act 9851 to the men of 903rd IB.

Guhit underscored the meaning of IHL, why is it important, how does it protect, when does it apply and who does IHL protect. She likewise delved on the International Community of the Red Cross’ role in IHL.

              She said that as combatant soldiers, they must have the basic know-how of IHL and other corresponding law in the Philippines that penalizes crimes against it, genocide and against humanity as stipulated in RA 9851 so that all the efforts they exerted in combat will not be wasted.

              “IHL is one of the most powerful tools that the international community has at its disposal to ensure the safety and dignity of people in times of war since it provides set of rules which place restrictions on the use of weapons and methods of warfare. It also prohibits or limits the use of strong and cruel weapons or those which do not distinguish between combatants and civilians,” said Guhit.

               Also known as the law of war or the law of armed conflict, IHL protects people who are not, or no longer, participating in hostilities. Guhit also stressed out that in every battle, both parties must see to it that there is no collateral damage and civilians must never be used as human shield.

                Likewise, insurgents wounded in an encounter must be regarded as wounded person and therefore must be given proper medication.

The ICRC on the other hand, serves as the “guardian” of IHL, basing its work on the four Geneva Conventions of 1949 and their two Additional Protocols of 1977.

               “These instruments of IHL give the ICRC the right to carry out activities such as bringing relief to the wounded, sick or stranded military personnel, visiting prisoners of war, restoring contact between members of families separated by conflict, aiding civilians and ensuring that those protected by humanitarian law are treated accordingly.

                International Humanitarian Law Day is celebrated on the 12th of August every year. (MAL/BAR, PIA Sorsogon)

903rd Brigade joins Candle lighting with PDEA

The 903^rd Brigade conducted a candle lighting ceremony in Sorsogon and Masbate on July 29, 2011 in commemoration of the 9^th year anniversary of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA). The idea was to form a line of people holding lighted candles from Camarines Norte and Catanduanes extending up to Matnog, Sorsogon and Masbate to include the islands of Burias and Ticao. This would depict an aerial view of an enlightened Bicol Region.

The activity started simultaneously with an ecumenical prayer for a drug-free Bicol at exactly 7:30 pm. The barangay captain talks about the purpose of the activity. Then the candles were lighted.

While the program was short and simple, the residents were able to internalize the purpose of the activity. It was also meaningful as many of the participants were young kids who become easy victims of prohibited drugs. There were also many parents with their kids. Thus, PDEA’s theme of “A Drug-Free Country Starts with a Drug-Free Family” was very appropriate.

The soldiers will continue to support the efforts of PDEA as their programs coincide with the objectives of IPSP Bayanihan.

903rd Brigade joins “Kalikasan para sa Karunungan” of Radio PADABA

             On July 2, 2011, the 903rd Brigade joined the project of DWOL FM 103.9MHz PADABA based in Sorsogon City which aimed to promote recycling and segregation of solid wastes in the community. Dubbed Kalikasan para sa Karunungan, it was a “bayanihan” among the different stakeholders which included the City Government of Sorsogon, the City Division Office of DepEd, the City DENR, the Radio Station PADABA, the residents and the soldiers.

            The project encouraged the community folks to gather/collect reusable and recyclable materials that were no longer needed. These materials were then sold at junk shops. The proceeds were used to buy school supplies for public elementary school children in Sorsogon. The beneficiary schools were determined by the City Division DepEd.

For its part, the Brigade instructed its subordinate units to conduct similar activities in their area. Aside from information dissemination on the benefits of recycling, they also gathered recyclable materials which they turned-over to PADABA.

During the closing ceremonies last July 29, the speakers cited the success of the project which were able to generate funds for the school children. They also appreciated the good working relationship among those involved.

The project was a good venue for the soldiers to show their commitment to the environment. It was also a good experience for the stakeholders in the community to work closely towards a common goal, in the spirit of “bayanihan’ espoused under IPSP “Bayanihan” of the AFP. 

903rd Brigade conducts medical mission with NGO from Spain

The 903^rd Brigade conducted a three-day medical mission on August 1-4, 2011 in collaboration with an international NGO from Spain, the Asociacion Valenciana de Asistencia Sanitaria y Social Voluntarios (AVASSV), whose volunteer doctors and teachers traveled all the way from Valencia, Spain. The activity was made possible through the active endorsement of Mr Vincent Nato, the Chief of Staff of Secretary Imelda Nicolas of the Commission on Filipinos Overseas and The Lewis College in Sorsogon City.

Mr Nato has been an active partner of the Brigade in its effort to “win the peace” in Sorsogon. He was instrumental in the allocation of scholarship slots for the four (4) “Bayanihan Iskolars” of the Brigade who are now enrolled at The Lewis College. Another two scholars are being sponsored by the ABS-CBN Sagip Kapamilya Foundation, Inc studying in Legazpi City.

Mr Santiago Tapia, the head of the mission, said that a group from AVASSV usually conducts two humanitarian missions in the country every year. They chose a location in Manila and the Bicol Region. The volunteers actually pay for their own plane ticket to the country. Mr Tapia was born in Naga City and was brought to Spain at a very young age. But he has not forgotten his roots in the Philippines.

Col Felix Castro Jr, 903^rd Brigade Commander, thanked Mr Tapia and his group for their selfless efforts in helping the less fortunate who could not afford the medicines they provided. He urged them to always include the province of Sorsogon, and if possible Masbate, as part of their program.

Sorsogon Gov Raul Lee tendered a dinner for the group on August 4 in gratitude for their services.

MGen Josue Gaverza Jr, the 9^th Infantry Division Commander, sent a medical team from Camp Elias Angeles Station Hospital in 9ID led by Cpt Marita Rhodora Penequito and 1Lt Ma Christine Samson to support the medical mission and brought additional medicines. Personnel from the Municipal Health Office of Castilla and Casiguran also participated.

A total of 812 persons benefited from the three-day inter-agency program as shown in the summary below:

	Brgys Visited in Sorsogon Province			Total
	Pandan, Castilla	Amomonting, Castilla	San Pascual, Casiguran
Medical Check-up	175	156	235	566
Basic Computer Operation	32	-	-	32
Basic Spanish Language Lesson	60	56	63	179
Haircut	-	-	35	35
Total	267	212	323	812
			Grand Total

Aside from the ample medicines, the AVASSV also donated two (2) laptop computers to Brgy Pandan, Castilla for use of the barangay council and the high school teachers.

The Brigade intends to maintain its link to AVASSV. The partnership it has started will go a long way in “winning the peace” in the province.

9IB conducts Medical and Dental mission in Masbate

               The 9^th Infantry (SANDIGAN) Battalion recently conducted a medical and dental mission in Barangays Paraiso and Tinaclipan, both of Milagros, Masbate and Bayombom, Masbate City from 15 – 17 July 2011. The activities included medical and dental treatment, bloodletting, free haircut, feeding program and giving of school supplies.

            Mayor Nanette Magbalon of Milagros supported the conduct of the activity in her municipality. She was, in fact, present in the two barangays. During the opening program, she reiterated her commitment to support the activities of 9IB.

            Sister Elviera Arcenas of Think Act Peace Foundation (TAPF) explained that this was the first time that she saw the soldiers, the police and the municipal employees join together for a common undertaking. She expressed her gratitude to the organizers of the activity, especially to LtCol Julian Pacatan of 9IB. She also cited P/Insp Mary Ann Arceo, Milagros Chief of Police, for her support.

            Brgy Capt Mindo Briol of Brgy Tinaclipan and Brgy Capt Esperanza Gross of Brgy Paraiso, together with her husband Manfred Gross, were all very busy supporting the activity.

            On the other hand, the medical and dental activity in Brgy Bayombom had the support of Mayor Socrates Tuazon and Brgy Capt Augustor Erebete. The early preparations made by the barangay officials, the soldiers and other government officials made the affair a success.

            The activities were also supported by the 9^th Infantry Division who sent personnel to assist 9IB. Cpt Marita Rhodora Penequito MC and 1Lt Kristine Cayco DS traveled all the way from Camarines Sur to participate in the medical and dental mission.

            The 3-day activity has benefitted a total of 1,948 less fortunate residents of Masbate as shown below:

DATE	PLACE	NR OF BENEFICIARIES
July 15	Brgy Paraiso, Milagros	778
July 16	Brgy Tinaclipan, Milagros	909
July 17	Brgy Bayombom, Masbati City	261