Sunday, November 12, 2006 25th IB replaces 28th IB in Comval
THE Army's 25th Infantry Battalion (IB) has assumed responsibility over the province of Compostela Valley covering the municipalities of Mabini, Maco, Mawab, Nabunturan, and Maragusan, which was previously under the 28th IB's area of responsibility.
Under the leadership of Lieutenant Colonel Cesar Idio, the 25th IB seeks to address the prevalence of the rebel groups and to foil their terrorist activities in the said area.
Upon their assumption of the new area of responsibility since last month, the battalion has conducted massive clearing patrols that are aimed to prevent the New People's Army's - Southern Mindanao Regional Committee and its front committees 2 and 27 from establishing foothold and guerilla bases in the area.
Military intelligence reports reveal that Front Committee 2 under Vicente Taoy and the Pulang Bagani Command 3 under Eduardo Genelsa have been conducting extortion activities from small-scale miners of Pantukan and the banana planters in the different municipalities in the area.
"The local populace must be freed from the terrorist activities/influences of the rebels, they must be empowered to defend themselves and to work out for development," Idio said in a statement.
Idio added that the 25th IB's mandate is to establish an atmosphere of peace and stability conducive to growth and development.
He also stressed that the battalion troops in the field will fully respect human rights while in the performance of their duties and obligations.
Idio appealed to the people of Compostela Valley to report any presence or activities of the New People's Army in their locality so these can be acted upon in the soonest matter. (BOT with Press release)
