200 Recruits report to 3ID for training

Division Public Affairs Office, Camp Peralta, Jamindan, Capiz--- 200 Philippine Army Candidate Soldiers took their oath of military service during a simple ceremony held in Headquarters, 3rd Infantry Division, Camp Macario B Peralta JR, Jamindan, Capiz earlier today. Out of the 200 recruits qualified to take their oaths, 77% (153) are college level/graduates while the rest have successfully completed their secondary education. 12 were former militiamen (Cafgus), 5 belong to Indigenous tribes (Aeta), and the remaining 183 are civilians. The recruits will be a part of the Philippine Army’s Candidate Soldier Course class 05-10.

MGEN Vicente M Porto, the Commander of the 3rd Infantry (Spearhead) Division, emphasized in his message to the family and friends of the new recruits that they are “entering the profession of arms and will soon be a part of an organization that serve as the protectors of our Nation and our Democracy.”

“Rest assured, these candidate soldiers are in very good hands. You have our assurance that the 3ID will mold them into professional soldiers for peace. We thank you for sharing them with us and with the rest of our fellow citizens.” Porto added.

Last year, the 3ID successfully graduated a total of 286 soldiers after being given a ceiling of 300 for recruitment. These soldiers will be distributed to our different subordinate units to replenish their ranks and to maintain our effective strength so that we may continue to perform our mission in Western Visayas. This year your Spearhead graduated two Candidate Soldier Courses: CSC Class 218 with 100 soldiers and CSC Class 231 with 200 soldiers. These new Privates were distributed to the different infantry battalions and units within the 3ID.

Your Spearhead Division will be filling another quota of Philippine Army recruits on June 15, 2010 at Camp Peralta in Jamindan, Capiz. Priority candidates in filling-up this new CS quota is as follows:

a) Qualified professionals

b) Graduates of MS43 and Advanced ROTC

c) College Graduate

d) With 72 units and up in college

e) High School graduate but possessing technical/vocationa l skills be needed by the AFP

Qualifications are as follows:

a) Natural born Filipino citizen.

b) At least high school graduate with technical or special skill needed by the AFP.

c) Age must be at least 18 years old on the actual start of training. Cut-off age must not exceed 23 years old by 01 July 10.

d) Unmarried and without child.

e) Good moral character.

f) PAATB score of at least 80

For further inquiries, call telephone number PLDT (033) 337-2545 or come visit our Philippine Army Recruitment booth at SM City Iloilo on June 11-13, 2010.

The Spearhead Division takes pride in producing professional and service-oriented soldiers and this is why so many of our fellow citizens are inspired to take up the profession of arms. This is shown by the increase in the turnout of applicants for this year’s recruitment. Your army is optimistic that in our future recruitment efforts we can hope to entice more applicants with professional skills as we continue to enhance our technology as well as our capabilities.

1ID conducts “Operation Baklas”

KUTA SANG-AN – After successfully securing the historic May 10 elections, the 1^st Infantry (Tabak) Division, Philippine Army under the sterling leadership of MGen Romeo D Lustestica, AFP conducted a 2-day post elections clean-up drive dubbed Operation “Baklas” on the mess left by candidates to restore cleanliness and support the global campaign against climate change.

These were done on May 21, 2010 in 25 barangays of Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur and on May 25, 2010 in the 44 barangays of Pagadian City, respectively.

The recent local and national elections resulted in the proliferation of campaign materials, including posters, streamers, flyers and billboards along main thoroughfares, structures and buildings that caused eyesores and spreading so much litter everywhere.

Six officers and 131 soldiers from different organic post units of this command to include 9^th Finance Service Unit, 1^st Light Armor Battalion , 9^th Field Artillery Battalion (OPCON Units) , 53^rd IB and 9RDG based in Dao headed by Lt Col Samuel L Leria PA , Deputy, G7 were deployed to conduct the said activity. ROTC cadets and CAFGUs also participated in the clean-up drive. The CAFGUs were in-charge of cleaning in the remote barangays of Lourdes and Lison Valley in Pagadian; and Noburan and Cogonan in Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur.

The “Operation Linis / Baklas” was simultaneously conducted by all units in the field that covers the provinces of Lanao del Sur, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay and Zamboanga City in coordination with concerned government agencies, local government units, and NGOs. The clean-up drive campaign in their respective area of responsibility was done in support to a healthy, orderly and pollution-free environment.

It was their own way of showing to the public how committed they were in their endeavor and expect the local folks will turn up and show their support for a common goal. It can be recalled that the clean-up campaign was in line with a COMELEC resolution aimed at tearing down and removing unlawful and unsightly election materials.

Pagadian City Mayor Samuel S. Co in an interview over local radio station RMN-DXPR was very much grateful to Lustestica and his men for actively leading in the ‘Operation Baklas’.

“I commend MGen. Lustestica for the laudable efforts exerted by his men in removing posters, streamers, billboards and other remnants of the past elections in the main thoroughfares , thereby restoring cleanliness in the city,” Co said.

He, however, said that he was worried for not participating the ‘Operation Baklas’ because after the election, he went abroad with his family for a brief vacation. Despite his absence , he ordered his staff to

send snacks to the soldiers as his gesture of support.

* * * * *

POC: MAJ ARNOLD L GASALATAN (INF) PA

Chief, DPAO, 1ID, PA

09295658712

Successive encounters in Davao shows NPA has nowhere to go

The series of encounters by government troops in Davao City against the New People’s Army (NPA) shows that the NPA has nowhere to go. Three successive encounters were recorded today in the village of Sibulan in Toril district in Davao City showing our soldiers are on the right track as people have been informing our troops on the presence of terrorists.

Troops of the 5th Scout Ranger Company clashed with NPA terrorists in Sitio Mitondo 9:30 AM and after fifteen minutes, soldiers from the 69th Infantry Battalion engaged another group of terrorists four kilometres away at Sitio Mamaon. In both instances, the NPAs fled and concealed themselves but just like the previous encounters; people informed our troops of their whereabouts.

A few hours after the two successive clashes, troops from the 5th Scout Ranger Company again engaged the NPAs at 1:45 PM in Sitio Mitondo and again the terrorists fled from the fight. Our troops however suffered casualties due to the Improvised Explosive Devise which the terrorist blew-up along the way.

The use of IED by the NPA shows their treacherous method as a terrorist organization. It is an utter disregard to the safety of non-combatants to place IEDs along the way where ordinary people might get hurt as in many previous incidents in the region attest.

Our respect goes to Pfc. Melencio Dalisay who was killed by a terrorist weapon, an IED planted along the way were people also travel. Seven other soldiers were wounded in the blast.

The terrorists have suffered casualties in the series of clashes but have repeatedly denied them as their standard lie to project an image of strength. As in the past, they burry their men in shallow graves in the mountains and deny them of a Christian burial.

While they deny their men of dignity, we will always be proud of our soldiers who have made the supreme sacrifice in serving our people as they are and will always be a pride to our country. We cannot and we will not hide our casualties as it is an affront to the dignity of the Filipino fighting men who have served this country with great honor in defense of our people against terrorists. The death of our soldier only embolden the rest of the fighting troops to strive without let-up in bringing to justice those responsible in the attacks against the people.

Today’s events achieved three things:

First, it is clear that our citizens are tired of the anti-people, anti-development and anti-Christian ways of the NPAs thus given the chance; they will fully cooperate with authorities against terrorists;

Second, the reputation of the CPP-NPA-NDF as a terrorist organization was further cemented by their treacherous methods particularly in using IEDs and even planting them along roads (and in some cases, on bridges);

Third, their arrogant display of joy in the death and wounding of soldiers show their callousness and evil intent while the continued denial on their casualties show their disrespect towards their own men.

We will always respect our citizens and we will always respect our own men. The true soldiers of the people will continue to protect the masses even at the sacrifice of their own life so that progress and development can find its way to our communities particularly in the countryside.

2 Soldiers shot dead by suspected NPA members in Quezon

Suspected New People’s Army communist members shot dead 2 soldiers while on their way to Burdeos, Quezon yesterday.

Ssg Isidro G Cruz and Pfc Romel B Gernale, members of area security team, 1st Infantry Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division were on board a motorcycle traveling to Burdeos town proper when ambushed by 7 suspected members of the NPA group in Brgy Amot, of the same town, around 2:30 p.m., yesterday.

Accordingly, the victims had just conducted further investigation on the information that an alleged collection of Permit to Campaign activities is being performed by members of the communists group in the area.

Part of the Armed Forces Philippines overall intent towards honest, orderly and peaceful election is the deployment of area security to ensure the security of the candidates while campaigning.

The Philippine Army leadership condemns the atrocities committed by the New People's Army terrorists in the strongest terms, and vows to run after those responsible for the deaths of many soldiers and civilians alike.

Although saddened that somebody’s life has once again been sacrificed, we continue to call on the candidates not to give in to the demands of the communist terrorists and to report any attempts of the NPA to collect Permit to Campaign schemes from them.

As of press time, additional troops were deployed to conduct pursuit operations and to augment area security teams in the outskirts of Burdeos, Quezon.

296 New Soldiers complete Basic Military Training

Camp Peralta, Jamindan, Capiz--- Two hundred and ninety-six (296) candidate soldiers were sworn in as Privates into the Armed Forces of the Philippines by Major General Vicente M Porto, Commander of the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry (Spearhead) Division during the joint graduation ceremony of Candidate Soldier (Magilas) Class 218-10 and 231-10 held in Camp Macario B Peralta Jr, Jamindan, Capiz this morning.

The class started with 300 able-bodied recruits who began their training last October 22 hailing from different parts of Panay, Guimaras, and Negros islands. Their training consisted of 3 months honing their basic military skills and another 2 months of application through the Jungle Warfare and Mountain Operations Course (JWMOC) held at the 33,100 hectare Military Reservation in Jamindan.

Special Awards were given to the following members of Class Magilas:

· Academic awards for the top three finishers of the class:

o CS Cyril Jun L Maglaqui

o CS Roel R Romay

o CS Glen A Tawagon

· Physical fitness and proficiency award: CS Jomar C Chavez

· Plaque of Recognition for Outstanding Leadership: CS Raymond C Chisno

· Combat awards:

o CS Rodolfo L Paigalan

o CS Breno Pagurayan

Maj Gen Porto, the Guest of Honor and Speaker of the ceremony, congratulated the graduates during his speech and urged them to be loyal and serve to protect and enhance the name of the Armed Forces of the Philippines particularly the Philippine Army. He also underscored the role of the new privates as catalysts for peace and development in our country. "As new soldiers, you must possess the qualities of SARS- a combination of Skills, Attitude, Responsibility and Spiritual Guidance," Porto added.

For 2009 alone, the 3ID has already graduated a total of 286 soldiers after being given a ceiling of 300 for recruitment. These soldiers will be distributed to our different subordinate units to replenish their ranks and to maintain our effective strength so that we may continue to perform our mission in Western Visayas. These are the first set of graduates that will be deployed by the 3ID for year 2010.

The Spearhead Division takes pride in producing professional and service-oriented soldiers and this is why so many of our fellow citizens are inspired to take up the profession of arms. This is shown by the increase in the turnout of applicants for last year’s recruitment. Your army is optimistic that in our future recruitment efforts we can hope to entice more applicants with professional skills as we continue to enhance our technology as well as our capabilities.

Army troops rescue hostage victims in Lanao

Five hostage victims were rescued by the combined elements of the Philippine Army and the Philippine National Police with the support of the local officials of Lanao del Sur on March 14.

Reports reaching the Philippine Army headquarters from field units disclosed that combined elements of the 103rd Brigade headed by its commander Col Rey C Ardo with the 33rd Infantry Battalion, 15th Infantry Battalion, 65th Infantry Battalion, 12th Light Armor Company, and the 1501st Provincial Mobile Group successfully rescued five employees of VICMAR logging concession in Poblacion Kapay, Lanao del Sur about two days ago.

The rescued victims were identified as Rene Morteza, Felipe Lanuza, Vicky Lanuza, Jerald Cabanig, and Eudillo Padilla. The victims were abducted at Sitio Champion, Panoruganan, Kapai, Lanao del Sur and were brought to several places until their rescue last Sunday.

With the continued support of local government units and other government agencies, the Philippine Army shall remain responsive to the needs of the people. Exhausting all possible resources in order to serve the country and the people better, the Philippine Army remains undaunted in its commitment to provide peace and security particularly in Mindanao. #

NPA rebels extorting campaign fees arrested in Quezon

The intensified campaign of the Philippine Army against the continued collection of permit to campaign (PTC) fees by the New People’s Army rebels resulted to the capture of two of its members in Catanuan, Quezon yesterday.

Reports reaching the Philippine Army headquarters disclosed that combined elements of the 74th Infantry Battalion and the Catanuan Police arrested a certain Rhea Pareja @ Kear/Janwa, Deputy Secretary General of the local terrorist group operating in Catanuan, and Leonito Dichoso @ Ka Hector, a local terrorist group member. Pareja has a standing warrant of arrest for murder.

The information regarding the presence of the two NPA rebels was tipped off by the local residents. Recovered from the suspects were two Cal 45 pistols, two grenades, two improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and a P100, 000 cash. Initial investigation revealed that Pareja and Dichoso were collecting PTC fees when they were apprehended by the authorities.

The continued collection of PTC fees by the NPA poses a threat and hindrance to the conduct of honest, orderly, and peaceful election as it involves force, violence, and coercion. The Philippine Army condemns this outright attack to the right of the people to a free, honest, and orderly election as it vows to intensify its campaign and advocacy. #