The Professionals and Young Businessmen Against Crime, a non-government organization, yesterday responded to the call of the Army’s 303rd Infantry Brigade for a province-wide approach to the insurgency problem in Negros Occidental.

This it will do while serving as its partner in public information and community relations, through a memorandum of agreement.

As stipulated in the MOA, signed by Col. Oscar Lactao, businessman Hector Pava, SPO4 Gilbert Sabusap, and Lt. Col. Isabelo de los Reyes, at Camp Major Nelson Gerona in Murcia, PAYBAC will coordinate with the 303rd Infantry Brigade in any of its activities for the maintenance of peace and order, campaign against criminal elements and insurgents, and provide assistance to its community relation projects, among others.

The 303rd IB, on its part, will formulate plans and programs anchored on its goals and objectives to enhance coordination with PAYBAC, which, initials, has 50 businessmen in Bago City as members.

PAYBAC and the 303rd IB will also jointly undertake massive information drives through seminars, troop formation, dialogs, meetings, conferences with local and community dealers to support the government fight against crimes, counter-insurgency and other related activities.

Lactao lauded PAYBAC for extending help to their information dissemination drive.

PAYBAC, that had initiated a joint medical mission with the 303rd IB in Bago City last year, is not limiting its membership to businessmen, but will also accept other sectors of society, Pava said.

The 303rd IB, however, reserves the right to revoke the agreement should there will be a violation of the MOA, or when military exigency so requires. It also states that the assistance of PAYBAC to the 303rd IB is purely voluntary.*GPB

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