In observance of the Holy Week, the Philippine News Agency’s online news service will be off on March 29, Good Friday, and March 30, Black Saturday. Normal operations will resume on March 31, Easter Sunday.

— The Editors

Army brigade conducts 3K quarantine security ops in Caraga

By Alexander Lopez

May 25, 2020, 4:35 pm

<p><strong>ACTIVE PARTICIPATION.</strong> Government troops belonging to the Army's 402nd Infantry Brigade assist in transporting sacks of rice intended for families affected by the coronavirus disease crisis. The brigade has conducted 2,231 Covid-19 checkpoints, and extended 1,214 security assistance and participated in relief operations in Caraga Region from April 15 to May 15 this year. <em>(Photo courtesy of 402nd IBde)</em></p>

ACTIVE PARTICIPATION. Government troops belonging to the Army's 402nd Infantry Brigade assist in transporting sacks of rice intended for families affected by the coronavirus disease crisis. The brigade has conducted 2,231 Covid-19 checkpoints, and extended 1,214 security assistance and participated in relief operations in Caraga Region from April 15 to May 15 this year. (Photo courtesy of 402nd IBde)

BUTUAN CITY – The Army’s 402nd Brigade (402nd IBde) has conducted over 3,000 checkpoints and security operations so far in its area of responsibility (AOR) in the Caraga Region to help government agencies implement quarantine measures.

Maj. Francisco P. Garello Jr., 402nd IBde civil-military operations officer, said the conduct of checkpoints and security operations is part of the Army's role in support of the regional Inter-Agency Task Force's mandate to enforce community quarantine guidelines and protocols to contain the coronavirus disease.

From the middle of April until May 15 this year, Garello said the 402nd IBde conducted 2,231 Covid-19 checkpoints, extended 1,214 security assistance, transported 15 stranded civilians including foreign nationals, conducted 33 transportation assistance to deliver food packs to communities, and provided 33 manpower assistance in repacking relief goods.
 
“Aside from checkpoint and security operations, Army units under the 402nd IBde also conducted massive information and awareness drives during the period with 220 loudspeaker operations, distribution of leaflets, posting of 56 tarpaulins and 94 radio guesting and programming,” Garello said.

Brig. Gen. Maurito L. Licudine, 402nd IBde commander, underscored Monday the importance of the military's security assistance in the government's relief efforts and in the distribution of the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) — especially in areas with known security risks.
 
Along with the Philippine National Police (PNP), Licudine assured the Army in Caraga Region will continue to perform its task of "securing the communities and the people from the threats and harassments of the communist New People’s Army (NPA)."

He noted that the series of armed encounters that took place at the height of the quarantine implementation were mostly related to the NPA rebels who tried to disrupt the relief efforts and SAP distribution.

“Your Army will not waiver on its mandate to serve the people and ensure the safety of the communities in Caraga Region,” Licudine said.

Meanwhile, Licudine said a three-day relief operation conducted by 402nd IBde units benefited 2,609 households in the town of Malimono, Surigao del Norte from May 20 to 22.

He said the operation was conducted upon the request of the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office of Malimono. (PNA)

Comments