REWARD FOR BRINGING PEACE TO THE PROVINCE. Sultan Kudarat Governor Pax Mangudadatu tells Lt. Colonel Harold Cabunoc, 33rd Infantry Battalion commander, how happy he has been due to Army peace overtures in Sultan Kudarat. The governor awarded the Army battalion with PHP1 million in cash on Friday (Jan. 18, 2019).(Photo courtesy of 33rd IB)
CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao -- The governor of Sultan Kudarat, elated by the military campaign against communist and Moro rebels, awarded an Army battalion with PHP1 million in cash on Friday.
Governor Pax Mangudadatu personally handed over the cash reward to Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc, commander of the Army’s 33rd Infantry Battalion (33IB), at his office in Isulan.
“I admire your advocacy and your programs that really helped the province address the problem of illegal drugs, rebellion, and peace and security,” Mangudadatu told Cabunoc during the simple turnover rites.
The 33IB is the only unit in the province that has actively pushed for a dual approach -- diplomatic and conventional warfare -- in reducing and eventually ending the problem of rebellion.
Since 2017, a total of 205 communist New Peoples’ Army rebels have surrendered to the government through the 33IB’s diplomatic approach.
The initiative also convinced 37 members of the local terrorist group, Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, to peacefully surrender and support the government.
The 33IB also convinced 41 members of illegal drug syndicates to yield and reform.
Cabunoc did not say how he would use the money but stressed that all his unit members and force multipliers in the peace campaign would benefit from it. (PNA)
