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Community support teams to help end insurgency in Capiz

By Gail Momblan

July 3, 2019, 6:35 pm

<p><strong>YIELDED FIREARMS.</strong> A local civilian turns over four loose firearms to the Community Support Program (CSP) Team at the 4th Maneuver Platoon, Bungsuan Village in Dumarao, Capiz on Wednesday (July 3, 2019). The Army said the turnover of the firearms is a manifestation that the deployed CSP teams are effective in its campaign and operations to end insurgency. <em>(Photo courtesy of 3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs Office)</em></p>

YIELDED FIREARMS. A local civilian turns over four loose firearms to the Community Support Program (CSP) Team at the 4th Maneuver Platoon, Bungsuan Village in Dumarao, Capiz on Wednesday (July 3, 2019). The Army said the turnover of the firearms is a manifestation that the deployed CSP teams are effective in its campaign and operations to end insurgency. (Photo courtesy of 3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs Office)

ILOILO CITY -- A resident in Capiz province turned over four loose firearms to the Community Support Program (CSP) Team at the 4th Maneuver Platoon, Bungsuan village in Dumarao, Capiz on Wednesday.

Capt. Cenon C. Pancito III, chief of the Public Affairs Office of the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (3ID), said the civilian has yielded one rifle, two home-made .38-caliber revolvers, and one home-made shotgun.

The firearms are now under the custody of Dumarao Police Station for proper disposition.

“These were owned by the locals and they can be used to disturb peace and order,” Pancito said in a phone interview Wednesday.

The CSP Team, composed of police personnel from Police Regional Office (PRO-6), is under the operational jurisdiction of the Army’s 301st Infantry (Bayanihan) Brigade, he said.

Pancito said around 300 police personnel were trained by the Philippine Army early this year.

They underwent a two-month rigid Basic Internal Security Operations Course (BISOC) at the 3rd Infantry (Spearhead) Division’s Training School in Camp Peralta, Jamindan, Capiz.

While undergoing the said course, they were also trained by 25 CSP instructors from the 3ID to equip them with the necessary skills and knowledge on how to address the insurgency problem.

After their graduation in May, they were divided into more than 10 teams and deployed all over Panay.

“The CSP teams are effective because they were able to influence those in the villages to turn over these firearms,” he said.

During the training, the Philippine Army was able to learn about law enforcement aspect from the police personnel.

“The cooperation of the Army and the police is effective. We are getting into the bottom of the problem, most especially in the security operation,” he said.

Pancito said the recovery of the firearms is just the start of the achievements of the CSP Teams.

“This a product of one team only. Other teams are also expected to deliver positive results,” he said.

The CSP deployment is in line with the Development Support and Security Plan “KAPAYAPAAN” of the Armed Forces of the Philippines to conduct Development Support Operations, to sustain the peace, ensure security and help maintain public order to foster the foundation for economic and human development. (PNA)

 

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