4th Infantry Division plays teacher, tour guide to children in Mindanao

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Sept. 16, 2010) – The Philippine Army’s 4th Infantry Division has opened its doors to school children, allowing them to tour the sprawling camp in Cagayan de Oro City in northern Mindanao.

Officials said it was part of a commitment to reach out to children and inspire them to become responsible citizens and at the same time educate them about the role of the military in peacekeeping efforts and as a partner in nation-building.

The children were amazed by sights of armor tanks and howitzer cannons and even posed for photos with soldiers who acted as their guides and storytellers. Troops led by Major General Victor Felix, the commander of the 4th Infantry Division, warmly welcomed and interacted and mingled with the children.

“The 4th Infantry Division personnel proved that they are not only the protectors of the land, but they are also their partners in community and nation-building and that these children and their parents can depend on them in their dream of having a better and brighter atmosphere that is viable for their growth and well-being,” said Lieutenant Colonel Triumph Bagaipo, the army spokesman.

He said through these efforts, troops are leading the way in showing their concern and commitment to the children in also helping promote a better environment and opportunity for them to live peacefully and harmoniously as the future and hope of the country.

Bagaipo said as part of the army’s commitment, it would provide support to the Batang Himsog Program, an in-school health and nutrition feeding and livelihood program and initiative of the Anak Mindanao party list group.

The program is also in partnership with the Department of Education, the local government units and the Katilingbanong Pamahandi sa Mindanaw Foundation Incorporated. It aims to help lessen and slowly eradicate malnutrition in rural villages in Misamis Oriental province.

The program aims to address the problem of malnutrition by providing daily breakfast to at least 4,000 Grade 1 pupils in 85 schools of Gingoog City, Claveria, Magsaysay and Misoret town.

“The 4th Infantry Division is optimistic in this program that could help children in the rural areas to receive proper nutrition and education so that they can become healthy and ready to take on any challenge and opportunity that they shall meet as they grow up,” Bagaipo said. (Mindanao Examiner)

Armas Nasamsam Mula Sa NPA Sa Mindanao!

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (Mindanao Examiner / 30 May) – Philippine troops clashed Wednesday with communist insurgents in the outskirts of Gingoog City in the southern province of Misamis Oriental, officials said.

The fighting erupted in the village of Kalipay at around 8.15 a.m., Major Samuel Sagun, spokesman of the Army’s 4th Infantry Division, said.

He said there were no military casualties. It was unknown if there were gunmen killed or injured in the clash. He said patrolling troops clashed with about a dozen members of the New People’s Army.

“The fighting lasted about ten minutes,” Sagun told the Mindanao Examiner.He said troops recovered two automatic rifles and munitions left behind by retreating gunmen.

Other officials said a suspect in the killing of a government soldier also surrendered in Davao del Sur’s Don Marcelino town. The man, Nestor Cawa, brother of a notorious bandit leader Danny Cawa, turned himself in to the Philippine Army.

Cawa was chief suspect in the murder of Corporal Reynaldo Tubongbanua, of the Army’s 27th Infantry Battalion. Officials did not say when the soldier was killed. (With a report from Juley Reyes)

Troops Clashed With Commies In Restive Bukidnon Province

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (Mike Banos / 09 Nov) - Patrolling government soldiers and militias clashed Thursday with suspected New People's Army (NPA) rebels in the town of Maramag in the southern Philippine province of Bukidnon, a regional army spokesman said.

Maj. Samuel C. Sagun, of the 4th Infantry Division, said the fighting erupted in the village of Dagumbayan, but there were no casualties on both sides.

He said troops recovered two M16 automatic rifles and ammunition after the firefight. He said the rebels retreated and that soldiers were pursuing the gunmen, believed to be members of the NPA's SECOM 1, Front Committee 6 of Northern Mindanao Regional Committee (NMRC).

Troops early this week also discovered an abandoned rebel camp in the village of Bonacao in Bukidnon's San Fernando town.

The province is a known stronghold of the NPA, which is fighting the government for the establishment of Maoist state in the country. (Mindanao Examiner/Kagay-an.com)

Troops Find Abandoned NPA Camp In Bukidnon Province

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (Mike Banos / 09 Nov) - Army troopers stumbled into an abandoned camp of the New People's Army (NPA) in San Fernando town in Bukidnon province in the southern Philippines, officials said.

Officials said the soldiers were pursuing communist insurgents when they discovered the encampment in the hinterland village of Bonacao early this week.

Maj. Samuel Sagun, spokesman of the Army's 4th Infantry Division, said rebel camp contained 23 bunkers which can accommodate about 70 people. He said troops also recovered three back packs, a handcuff and assorted ammunition for automatic rifles.

In Agusan del Sur province, a member of the NPA, Oscar Pagios, who acted as liaison officer of the rebel's Front Committee 2IB surrendered last week to the Army's 30th Infantry Battalion in Bayugan town, Sagun said.

Pagios surrendered an M16 automatic rifle to the military, he said, adding, the former rebel is being interrogated in the province. (Mindanao Examiner/Kagay-an.com)