COMMENDATION. Col. Inocencio Pasaporte (center), commander of the 303rd Infantry Brigade, pins the Military Commendation Medal on an Army reservist during the awarding ceremony held at the headquarters of the 605th Community Defense Center in Panaad Park and Stadium in Bacolod City on June 28, 2020. A total of 232 reservists were awarded medals for demonstrating the exemplary performance of duty during their deployment to various quarantine control points in Negros Occidental amid the Covid-19 pandemic. (Photo courtesy of 303rd Infantry Brigade, Philippine Army)
BACOLOD CITY – A total of 232 reservists of the Philippine Army in Negros Occidental received the Military Commendation Medal for their service to the community amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.
Col. Inocencio Pasaporte, commander of the 303rd Infantry Brigade, said on Tuesday the reservists demonstrated exemplary performance of duty during their deployment to the various quarantine control points in the province.
Pasaporte attended the awarding ceremony held at the headquarters of the 605th Community Defense Center (CDC) in Panaad Park and Stadium here on Sunday.
The Army reservists were deployed to border control points in the cities of Bacolod, Kabankalan, and Sipalay from March 17 to April 30 to support the implementation of stringent province-wide border control and monitoring to curb the spread of Covid-19.
They belong to the 605th Ready Reserve Infantry Battalion under the 605th Community Defense Center, 6th Regional Community Defense Group of the Army Reserve Command.
The borders of Negros Occidental were sealed starting mid-March when the province and this city were placed under general community quarantine (GCQ) and later, under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).
Pasaporte said they tapped the reservists to augment the government troops manning border patrol operations.
He added that the Army appreciates the support and service of reservists during military operations.
“That’s why we are strengthening the reserve forces,” Pasaporte said.
The Army’s Reserve Force's mission is to provide the base for the expansion of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in case of war, invasion, and rebellion, or during national emergencies.
It also aims to assist in relief and rescue operations during disaster or calamities, in socio-economic development, and the operation and maintenance of essential government or private utilities in the furtherance of the overall mission. (PNA)
