66th Infantry Battalion

ATM... Provincial Peace and Order Council Meeting

ATM: Opening Ceremony of 1st Mayor Lorenzo L. Balbin Jr. Cup

66IB initiated, for the first time, a shooting competition to give tribute to the former Municipal Mayor of New Bataan Hon. Lorenzo L. Balbin Jr. for his unending support to the battalion and outstanding performance for peace and development in his municipality during his stint as municipal mayor. The event was held today at 66IB Battalion Headquarters,Brgy Cabinuangan, New Bataan, CVP.

The competition, dubbed as 1st Mayor Lorenzo L. Balbin Jr. Cup, was participated by all Brgy Captains, SB members, our local PNP counterpart, officers and enlisted personnel of 66IB and other local stakeholders of New Bataan.

Let the competition begins and have some fun...

The range is HOT, firers are you ready?!?!

Nice to know to our small coconut farmers...
Recommended application of inorganic fertilizers by PCA...

ATM: Coconut Farm Establishment & Cultural Management Practices Training in partnership with Philippine Coconut Authority together with small coconut farmers held at Municipality of Compostela, Compostela Valley Province.

Government Builds Homes for Indigenous People

A ceremonial turn-over of IP Housing Project was formally conducted yesterday in So. Kilabot, Brgy. Ngan, Compostela, Compostela Valley Province. The occasion was graced through Eucharistic Mass, cutting of ribbon and ceremonial blessing of houses by Fr. Marlon Avenido, Parish Priest of Compostela together with Hon. Arturo T. Uy, Provincial Board Member, Hon. Lema P. Bolo, Municipal Mayor of Compostela with the SB Members, Engr. Ricardo M. Oñate, OIC-Regional Director DA XI, Hon. Margarito Alcos, Brgy. Captain of Brgy. Ngan, tribal council of Kaimunan Lumad sang Compostela (KLC) headed by Hon. Guillermo M. Blanco, PCI Kristoffer P. Sabsal, Chief of Police of Compostela and LTC Gilbert Roy S. Ruiz, Commander of 66IB.

Under the Modified Shelter Assistance Program (MSAP) of Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), an initial of 35 units of the proposed 100 units were successfully handed over to the IP beneficiaries. The vision of this program is to help rebuild the IP community and remain steadfast in its commitment to provide decent, resilient, and safe homes to Indigenous People (IPs).

Meanwhile, Mayor Bolo stressed out to the IP beneficiaries should maintain their respective houses and she is always there with the LGU for assistance to improve their lives better.

Furthermore, Regional Director of Department of Agriculture XI headed by Engr. Oñate also said that they are extending livelihood projects as the next phase of this housing project to make sure that they will have safe homes that they call their own where they can live better and more prosperous lives.

With the success of this activity, the troops of 66IB headed by LTC Ruiz will continue its dedication and commitment to serve and protect the community through Peace and Development Outreach Program (PDOP) of the unit.

Thank you for the service sir...
May his soul rest in peace...

Body of teacher washed away by floods recovered | Mindanao Times THE BODY of elementary teacher who was reported missing last Friday night was discovered after three days of search. Capt. Benedick Alfonso G. Cagatin, civil-military operations (CMO) officer of 66th IB, told TIMES that Francisco Apitong was found by Jerry…

As of 8:00am today, search and rescue operation for the missing teacher identified as Mr Francisco Apito is still ongoing. The Civilian Active Auxilliary (CAAs) from Tupas Detachment in Maragusan and Tandawan Detachment in New Bataan already joined the operation.

A teacher has been missing when a surging flood water hit the motorcycle he was riding with a fellow teacher and a student. This happened on September 23 at about 6:00pm while they were crossing the river at Sitio Cadupe, Brgy Talian, Maragusan, Compostela valley Province.

Based on the report, 1Lt Joey B Santiano, Company Commander of Charlie Company identified the missing teacher as Mr. Francisco Apito while those who survived were Noel Calugmoc (teacher) and Jovelyn Mangapas (student).

At about 8:45pm, on the same day, troops of Charlie Company of this unit immediately coordinated with barangay officials of Brgy Talian and then conducted search and rescue operation.

Search and rescue was still ongoing as of 5:00pm today.

IP Housing Project Launched in Compostela

GOING EXTRA MILE FOR INDIGENOUS PEOPLE
IN COMPOSTELA

Compostela, Compostela Valley – A ceremonial launching of IP Housing Project was conducted, yesterday, through its Modified Shelter Assistance Program (MSAP) of Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and in partnership with Local Government Unit of Compostela Valley Province headed by Gov. Jayvee Tyron Uy, Local Government Unit of Municipality of Compostela headed by Municipal Mayor Hon. Lema P. Bolo, Uswag Gawad Kalinga- Tindog Comval, Indigenous People of Kaimunan Lumad sang Compostela (KLC) headed by Municipal Tribal Chieftain/ SB Member Hon. Guillermo M. Blanco and troops of 66th Infantry Battalion headed by LTC Gilbert Roy S. Ruiz at So. Kilabot, Brgy Ngan, Compostela Valley Province.

Under the MSAP, the construction of the shelter units was funded by DSWD while the LGU took charge of the site development, land preparation and engineering requirements.

A total of 100 IP families will benefit the program as a result of series of discussions of the tribal leaders together with line government agencies during the National Serbisyo Caravan last year.

Meanwhile, Hon. Bolo lauded the effort of 66IB headed by LTC Ruiz in his perseverance to facilitate the construction of houses for the IPs of Compostela and unending support given by line government agencies and LGU-Compostela Valley Province and she also encouraged the recipients to preserve the IP culture and maintain the houses as their new home.

Also, LTC Ruiz, commander of 66IB, urged them to do their roles in keeping their community peaceful and become active in the government’s development efforts. He also stressed that he will support the IP community by bringing livelihood projects, particularly in agriculture industry, through linkaging and coordination with concerned government agencies. This is the testament of the Philippine Army’s genuine endeavor to help people restore their lives through “Bayanihan”.

“In behalf of the IP community of Compostela, we are blessed and thankful for all the support of the government in addressing our concerns. Rest assured that we will be more committed to become one of your partners in peace and development of this municipality.” Hon. Blanco said.

Message of Sympathy

On June 26, 2016, an unidentified number of communist rebels attacked a community in Barangay Payapag, Bacuag, Surigao del Norte.

According to the news, after the attack, a 7-year old girl was declared dead. In pursuit of personal ideology, a life has been added to the statistics of casualties – a victim of another senseless violence.

It is claimed that in pursuit of the communist ideology, taking-up arms is necessary. However, no matter what the cause is, violence is never justified, for it is the very curse of a civilized society, it is an irrationality, an evil that lurks in the corner waiting to murder another innocent victim – another innocent life.

Indeed, in a diverse world, difference of opinion and ideology is an inevitability. But actions that take the life of the other; that kills not just their body but consumes wholly their dreams; engulfs their aspirations and deprives them of the opportunity to grow as individuals is abhorrent, low, and intolerable.

Hence, the Youth for Peace Movement (TALBOS), an organization that advocates peace, is condemning the crime and inhumane act committed which caused us the life of an innocent child – another wasted torch bearer, which we all call “Pag-asa” – the hope of our nation.

Further, we are appealing to the government of the Republic of the Philippines and the leaders of the CPP-NPA-NDF to finally come to terms and fast track the ongoing peace negotiations so that no more life would be wasted through unnecessary violence.

We are appealing to the CPP-NPA-NDF to administer their groups in respect to the International Humanitarian Law, the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Law (CARHRIL), and other pertinent laws they have signed upon and in accordance with the principles of pacta sund servanda (carrying-out obligations in good faith).

We appeal to the CPP-NPA-NDF to generally pause the armed struggle by issuing an order to the group’s militia to momentarily halt as a negotiation of putting an end to the conflict is on process.

We also appeal to the CPP-NPA-NDF not to tolerate any criminality committed by their members, thus surrender them and enable them to be subjected to any judicial proceedings and face the consequences of the act if a crime is proven committed.

We appeal to the government to seek for justice for the poor child and the family who are mourning for her death, and arrest the people who were behind the attack.

Lastly, we appeal to all peace advocates, concerned citizens, and the Filipino people to support us in this call. Let us all do our part in any other way to achieve peace in Mindanao for only when peace is sought genuinely through love, understanding, respect and non-violence will our nation truly meaningfully prosper.

As individuals, our most important task is to transform our consciousness so that violence is no longer an option for us in our personal lives. That understanding, that a world of peace, is possible only if we relate to each other as peaceful beings – one individual at a time.

The youth is not just the hope of the future – WE ARE THE FUTURE!

Hear us.

Read: http://balita.net.ph/2016/06/26/7-anyos-patay-sa-pag-atake-ng-npa/481787/