Assessment of CAFGU
detachments on

The Army's 303 rd Infantry Brigade is reassessing the tactical value of CAFGU detachments, following the arrival of Special Action Force troopers in Negros Occidental, its commander, Col. Oscar Lactao, said yesterday.

The newly-arrived company-size police SAF unit has been temporarily deployed in Brgy. Libertad, Escalante City, but Lactao said they are also considering the deployment of troopers to Manapla and Cadiz, both of Negros Occidental.

There are about 2,000 members of the Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit in Negros island, with the soldiers of the 12 th Infantry (Cadre) Battalion serving as their handlers and supervisors.

Military records show that bulk of the 3 rd Civil Military Operations Battalion of the 3 rd Infantry Division is also deployed in Escalante. The city also hosted the retraining of 400 enlisted personnel and officers of the Army's 62 nd Infantry Battalion.

A battalion-size unit of military and police is composed of about 400 to 500 personnel.

Lactao said the 62 nd IB will resume normal security operations in northern Negros areas after the completion of their three-month retraining period.

Military and police intelligence reports show the New People's Army has been able to establish a strong influence in some areas of Escalante, and the hinterlands of Calatrava and Toboso towns.*GPB

back to top

Army doing civilian
work justified

A ranking military official Thursday justified the civilian work being done by the Army by saying that to fight and win wars, economic development should be given a priority, especially in the countryside.

The Army does not wage a war against the people, it is important that it focuses on development for the country to become rich, Col. Oscar Lactao, 303 rd Infantry Brigade commander, said.

“With an improved economy, our capability to fight and win wars also improves,” Lactao said.

The article “Militum Phasellus: Developing an Outlook of Professionalism in the AFP” that was published by the Air Force Way, an official publication of the Philippine Air Force, said much attention is given to nontraditional jobs of the military, to the detriment of the soldiers.

“Although officially, support to civilian agencies is secondary to the core function of war fighting, in reality, much of time and activities that should have been devoted to combat training and preparation are being used to fulfill these tasks,” the article said.

Numerous peace and development teams of the Army's 3 rd Infantry Division have been deployed to the hinterlands of Negros and Panay to assist the development efforts of local government units, government agencies and nongovernment organizations, especially in conflict-affected communities.

Negros Occidental remains as one of the top provinces experiencing the longest running communist insurgency in the country, despite the high economic state of the province.

But Maj. Gen. Jose Mabanta, 3 rd Infantry Division commander, has lauded the provincial government of Negros Occidental for formulating a five year “ Peace and Development Project for Communities Affected by Armed Conflict.”

“We are one with the provincial administration in believing that this project is crucial to the resolution of the long-overdue armed conflict in Negros Island. Though the insurgency problem is national in scope, it shall serve as a local peace initiative that will hasten the national peace process,” Mabanta said.

Lactao said the peace and development project, which has five components – security, economic, environment, psychosocial and governance – will focus on the 96 communities affected by the armed conflict.

“Not only would it address security and livelihood but also healing and reconciliation towards a sustainable peace for Negros Occidental,” he said.*GPB

back to top

Lowered PMA height
requirements lauded

The lowering of height requirements at the Philippine Military Academy is an opportunity for more Filipino youths aspiring to serve the country, Major Gen. Jose Mabanta, commander of the Army's 3 rd Infantry Division, said.

The minimum height requirement for male applicants is now 5 feet and 2 inches, and 5 feet for female applicant.

Mabanta, a graduate of PMA Class 1981, said they have noted that many young men and women interested in entering the Academy fail to make it because of the height requirement.

With the lowered height requisite, more applicants are expected to take the PMA entrance examination that will simultaneously be administered in various testing centers nationwide, including Bacolod and Dumaguete in Negros, on August 26.

Aside from the height requirement, a candidate should be a natural-born Filipino citizen, physically fit and of good moral character, single and has never been married, at least a high school graduate with no administrative/criminal case, and should have been born from April 1, 1991 to April 1, 1996.

A PMA cadet avails of a free college education, with a well-rounded curriculum, and receives a monthly salary and other allowances. After graduating from the Academy, one is guaranteed a career as an officer in the Army, Navy or Air Force, the PMA website said.

The PMA leadership also made a firm stand on its policy against maltreatment in the Cadet Corps Armed Forces of the Philippines, by advocating for a “Zero Tolerance on Maltreatment”, adhering to the respect for human rights and observing the principles of International Humanitarian Law and the rule of law.*GPB

back to top

Free anti-rabies
vaccination today

A free anti-rabies vaccination will be held today for dogs and cats at the ZitroVet animal clinic of Dr. Dante Nick Ortiz at Burgos-Lopez Jaena streets, Bacolod City.

Vaccination starts at 9 a.m.

Dogs and cats should be vaccinated once a year, Ortiz said.*

back to top