501st Army IB on alert after 18-day truce ends

TABUK, Kalinga – The 501st Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army announced it is back on alert now that the 18 days truce with the New People’s Army had expired.

During a meeting, brigade commander, Col. Yerson Depayso, said although there were no movements or sightings of the NPAs during the last quarter months of last year in the region, he ordered his troops to maintain their readiness against attacks from the NPA.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines declared the suspension of military operations to allow the government and communist rebels during the Christmas season to work out negotiations for the holding of formal peace talks in February.

On the other hand, Lt. Col. Maning Tawantawan, 21st Infantry Battalion Commander said the military is also implementing Oplan Bayanihan which will be in effect until 2016 and will include non-combat operations that will focus on poverty and other causes of rebellion.

Under the new plan, the government will focus on defeating terrorists while pursuing talks with communist rebels and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, he said.

He said peace talks between the Philippine government and the leftists bogged down after the United States included the NPA and its parent body as foreign terrorist organizations in 2002.

Meanwhile, Capt. Adonis Banez, public information officer of the 501st Brigade said the whole command will continue its pro-active approach in dealing with the insurgency problem within its AOR that includes Kalinga.

He said their campaign is anchored on internal peace and security that focuses on civil military operations which supports development programs and projects implemented by local government units.

Helping is the 513rd Engineering Brigade with its “pamana” projects in insurgency-affected barangays, construction of school buildings, water systems, health facilities, and barangay roads.

Banez said there are approved and carry-over projects last year.

Aside from infrastructure projects are community outreach programs that help communities build their potentials after being given skills and livelihood training. -- PIA