CATBALOGAN, Samar – 8th Infantry Division, Philippine Army has conducted a send off
ceremony to about 50 Officers and 400 Soldiers Friday (June 23), to
beef up the strength and personnel capability of the different
Brigades, Battalions and Reconnaissance Companies, in line with the
government’s stand to aggressively pursue the remaining communist
terrorist NPAs in Region 8, particularly in the remote barangays of
Samar Island.
The troops, with
complete equipment in full battle gear, were sent off at Camp Lukban,
Catbalogan, Samar with Major General Bonifacio B. Ramos AFP, the
Commanding General of the 8th Infantry Division, Philippine Army. In
his message, Major General Ramos emphasized the need to relentlessly
pursue the NPAs, stressing out that they should be cut on their tracks
as they are the cause of the miseries of our people’s lives.
He cited his belief
that the NPAs and their allies are now on their way to launch
deceptive issues to discredit the credibility of the troops. He
however stressed out that the people are already aware of the NPA’s
propaganda and advised the troops to carry out their constitutional
mandate of protecting the people. “Ang mga legal na alyansa ng CPP-NPA
ay gagamit na naman ng mga isyu gaya ng militarisasyon at human rights
abuse upang sirain ang ating kredibilidad… Gawin natin ang lahat ng
nararapat upang isaalang-alang ang karapatan, kalayaan at katahimikan
ng nakararami nating kababayan”.
Major General Ramos
reiterated PGMA’s instruction to run them (communist NPAs) to the
ground saying, “We have to hit them hard and push them hard without
let-up. Let us suffocate and finish them”.
Likewise, he expressed
his gratitude to the civilian sectors and the media for their support.
He gave his words that 8ID will do everything possible within the
ambit of the constitution to stop the NPA menace at the soonest
possible time. He ended his remarks by advising the troops to give
utmost importance to the value and sacredness of human rights. “Gusto
kong gawin lamang ninyo ang nararapat sa pakikitungo at pangangalaga
sa karapatang pantao ng ating mga kababayan, at umaasa akong ito ay
inyong pakatatandaan sa lahat na ating gagawin”.
The ceremony was
finally ended by a blessing and ceremonial handshake offered by the
Division Commander and Staffs to the troops.
Relatedly, one company
of scout rangers and one recon company with a strength of about 200
personnel arrived in Leyte the other week to augment the troops of the
Leyte Brigade in its effort to finish off the remnants of the NPAs
operating in
Leyte Island.
