902nd Brigade, partners conduct ‘School and Serbisyo’ caravan in Bula

By Ana-Liza Macatangay

PILI, CAMARINES SUR --- The 902nd Infantry “Fight and Serve” Brigade led the conduct of the School and Serbisyo Caravan with the theme: “Malasakit at Pagkakaisa para sa Bayan tungo sa Kapayapaan,” in Brgy. Caorasan Bula, Wednesday, April 5. This is to aid affected residents following the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) members’ thwarted attack last March 30.

As per the directive of Joint Task Force Bicolandia and 9th Infantry “Spear” Division Philippine Army Commander MGen Adonis Bajao, Task Force Malasakit was established to specifically assist residents, particularly students, and teachers, who have been affected by the recent firefight between government troopers and CNTs near Caorasan Elementary School and Caorasan High School, both in Bula, Camarines Sur.

The Fight and Serve brigade partnered with the 9th Civil Military Operation, Camp Elias Angeles Station Hospital (CEASH), 1369th Dental Detachment, Local Government Unit of Bula, Bula Municipal Police Station (MPS), Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Agriculture (DA) Regional Field Office V, PESO, Bula Municipal Social Welfare and Development (MSWD) and the Fraternal Order of Eagles- Bicol Region to materialized the activity.

In a press statement, Division Public Affair Office (DPAO) Spokesperson Major Frank Roldan said that CTG members are cunningly using a new strategy of luring authorities to school zones to harass residents and shift the blame on government troops in case any locals are affected during the course of their encounter.

Roldan said that aside from the School and Serbisyo Caravan, which offered free services like medical check-ups, medicine, haircut, pedicure, and manicure to Caorasan residents, a Psychosocial support activity was likewise conducted which benefited 553 students and 21 teachers both from Caorasan Elementary School and Caorasan High School.

“Around 728 Caorasan residents received free food packs, along with seedlings from DA. Others were able to process their Civil Registrar certificates and Residents’ certificates, among other documents. The task force’s main objective is to provide psychological and social support to the impacted inhabitants, particularly the students, and educators, to help them recover from the trauma resulting from the recent assault,” Roldan added.

Pupils of Caorasan Elementary School in Bula, Camarines Sur were entertained by a clown as part of the 9ID’s Psychosocial support following the foiled CTG attack near the said school on March 30, 2023. (Photo credit: FB grab : Caorasan Elementary School Bula South District)

MGen Bajao assured the residents that the Philippine Army will remain vigilant to ensure the safety of the local community, particularly in Bicol. The Commander also thanked the villagers for their continued support to the peace advocacy of the Army.

It will be recalled that most of the encounters were the result of tip-offs from local residents which invariably yield a beneficial outcome for the army.

MGen Bajao reiterated that the government is opening its doors to welcome CTG members who wished to return to the folds of the law and live a peaceful life with their families, away from the fear of being apprehended or killed in a clash with the soldiers.

The Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) is also waiting for the rebel returnees.

The E-CLIP is a manifestation of the government’s sincerity in putting an end to the decades-long conflict between the CTGs and the law enforcement authorities, particularly the Philippine Army and the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Any regular member of CPP-NPA-NDF, their families and kins, and Militia ng Bayan members can avail of the programs and services under the E-CLIP like re-integration assistance; firearms, explosives, and ammunition remuneration, livelihood assistance, and conditional transitional grant among others. (PIA 5/ Camarines Sur)