Army intensifies info drive vs. NPA in Panay
MANILA, Philippines - Army
troops in Panay Island and various state agencies have conducted an
information drive on the government’s development programs to curb the
influence of communist rebels in the area.
Maj. Enrico Ileto, spokesman of the Army’s 3rd division, said the four-day seminar on peace and development started last Tuesday and was intended to enhance the skills of soldiers involved in development programs.
It was attended by company commanders, civil-military operations officers and non-commissioned officers from different units under the Army’s 301st brigade.
Those who joined the seminar are members of peace and development teams, which serve as conduit of state agencies in conveying the programs of the government.
“This seminar will also ensure that the right information and the right solution to issues will reach the grassroots through the peace and development teams,” Ileto said.
Personnel from the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Land Bank of the Philippines, Department of Interior and Local Government and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority discussed programs designed to help local residents.
Maj. Gen. Jose Mabanta Jr., commander of the Army’s 3rd division, said awareness of the government’s programs could weaken the influence of communist rebels.
“Right information in remote communities leads to increased contentment among the people. This condition means there will be lessened capability for the NPA (New People’s Army) to recruit members,” Mabanta said.
He said the Army is continuously conducting information campaigns in schools to curb the insurgents’ recruitment activities.
Citing intelligence reports, Ileto said the NPA in Western Visayas lacks cadres or political officers that would guide rebels in sustaining the armed struggle.
He said they have received reports stating that cadres from Luzon had been assigned in the Visayas to address the leadership vacuum in the NPA
Source: http://www.philstar.com/nation/article.aspx?publicationsubcategoryid=200&articleid=819905
Maj. Enrico Ileto, spokesman of the Army’s 3rd division, said the four-day seminar on peace and development started last Tuesday and was intended to enhance the skills of soldiers involved in development programs.
It was attended by company commanders, civil-military operations officers and non-commissioned officers from different units under the Army’s 301st brigade.
Those who joined the seminar are members of peace and development teams, which serve as conduit of state agencies in conveying the programs of the government.
“This seminar will also ensure that the right information and the right solution to issues will reach the grassroots through the peace and development teams,” Ileto said.
Personnel from the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Land Bank of the Philippines, Department of Interior and Local Government and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority discussed programs designed to help local residents.
Maj. Gen. Jose Mabanta Jr., commander of the Army’s 3rd division, said awareness of the government’s programs could weaken the influence of communist rebels.
“Right information in remote communities leads to increased contentment among the people. This condition means there will be lessened capability for the NPA (New People’s Army) to recruit members,” Mabanta said.
He said the Army is continuously conducting information campaigns in schools to curb the insurgents’ recruitment activities.
Citing intelligence reports, Ileto said the NPA in Western Visayas lacks cadres or political officers that would guide rebels in sustaining the armed struggle.
He said they have received reports stating that cadres from Luzon had been assigned in the Visayas to address the leadership vacuum in the NPA
Source: http://www.philstar.com/nation/article.aspx?publicationsubcategoryid=200&articleid=819905
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