THE Army's 79th Infantry "Masaligan" Battalion (79IB) conducted a pulong-pulong and outreach activity to the Indigenous People community in collaboration with the local government unit (LGU) of Calatrava, Barangay Council of Minapasuk, 6th Special Action Battalion, Philippine National Police-Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) and Lady Riders Club-Negros Occidental on Friday, March 12, 2021 in So. Las Piñas, Barangay Minapasuk, Calatrava, Negros Occidental.

A total of 85 residents composed of adults and children belonging to the Negritos Ata and Bukidnon tribe participated in the activity and received food packs, hygiene kits, face shields, face masks and slippers.

The activity included a brief pulong-pulong where former rebel "Ka Joross" shared his testimony about his experiences and the deceptive recruitment schemes of Communist Terrorist Groups (CTGs) and how the government helped him after he surrendered.

Executive Assistant Marianne Lumanog, who represented the LGU of Calatrava, assured IPs of the local government's concern for them, especially on health programs.

Pedro Satuquia, chieftain of the Negritos Ata and Bukidnon tribe, was very thankful to 79IB for initiating such activity and hoped for more information awareness drives to their community to continuously educate them about insurgency.

Meanwhile, Lieutenant Colonel Gerard T. Alvaran, commanding officer of 79IB, lauded the efforts of Calatrava LGU, PNP-SAF and Lady Riders Club for the support in making the activity successful.

"Our efforts are all worth it. Seeing the smiles of every IP member gives us a sense of fulfillment, it gives us the inspiration to perform our duties well to achieve lasting peace and development in our area," Alvaran said.

"The IP community is vulnerable from exploitation and manipulation by the CPP-NPA (Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army) terrorists. They are more susceptible to recruitment by the NPA. That is why we chose to conduct this activity to bring hope to the IP community and make them feel that the government and other stakeholders both from public and private sectors are looking after their welfare and committed to pursuing peace and development efforts in their community," he added.