Ang Tala Vol4 No1 Mar 2015

VOL. 4, NO.
THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE CIVIL RELATIONS SERVICE, AFP

MARCH 2015
SERVING
THE PEOPLE.
SECURING
THE LAND.
118
th
Philippine Army
Anniversary
To the soldiers past and future, who have brought peace to this nation; we salute your courage, bravery, and love forVol.
our
country.
4 No.
1
Ang Tala_format_march.indd 1
1
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CONTENTS
VOL. 4, NO. 1
MARCH 2015
First Line of Defense Monument

The First Line of Defense is situated at the Layac Junction,
Dinalupihan, Bataan. This monument marks the strong
line of defense demonstrated by the combined forces of the
71st Division of the Americans, 31st Infantry Regiment
and the 26th Cavalry Regiment in January 1942. It is a
symbol of the gallantry of Filipino and American heroes
against the Japanese invasion during World War II.
features
06
08
10
32
33
34
The Journey to Gold: Army Institutionalizes

Performance Governance System
12
6
Army Receives
New Field Ambulance
Voice of a Soldier: An Army
with Empowered NCO Corps
NOLCOM Starts the Year 2015

with a Blast
Awarding of
Reward Money to Informants
SOLCOM: Peace
No Longer A Dream
A Closer Look on
the AFP Coat of Arms
CENTCOM: JTF FRANCIS Secures

Papal Visit in Leyte
DWDD bags Best Radio Station

Asian Peace and Unity Corps Awards
10
2
updates
18
22
24
26
28
30
36
WESTMINCOM: 4th CRG Bigkis Lahi Program:

Towards Creating A National Movement for
Mutual Respect and Understanding
34
EASTMINCOM: Preserve the Culture, Empower

the Nation
JTF-NCR: Five Days in January:
JTF-NCR and the Papal Experience
Launching of AFP Promotional Video
Hanggang Mamatay
Ang Tala | March 2015
3/20/15 4:25 PM
GENERAL HEADQUARTERS
ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES
CIVIL RELATIONS SERVICE
CAMP GENERAL EMILIO AGUINALDO,
QUEZON CITY 1110
TEL: (+632) 9116001 LOC 5665/5605
EMAIL: magcrsafp@gmail.com
F OR EWOR D
ur military leadership has vigorously outlined and emphasized the thrusts of

the military service to transform towards a culture of excellence so that it can
achieve its vision. As members of the global community, we work hard imbibing
the spirit of Bayanihan among ourselves to better accomplish the mission of being the
vanguard of defense and protector of the people in the highest degree of excellence.
Those who safeguard and secure our country are charged with the immense
responsibility of defense and partnership with stakeholders and communities towards
peace and development. Our troops are more than willing to serve the people and secure
our sovereignty at all times and at all costs even committing the ultimate sacrifices as
the need for it arises. Through our untiring commitment, we have engendered better
conditions for development and more opportunities for every citizens of this country.
As we commemorate the 118th Anniversary Celebration of the Philippine Army,
let us not forget the undoubtedly indelible mark of our forebears gallant fight for the
independence of our people and unrelenting sacrifice to give birth to a free Philippine
Republic. The torch of independence has been passed on to a new generation of soldiers
who are as brave and patriotic as their predecessors. With this, the Philippine Armys
continuing existence in serving the people and securing the land is so much a fruit of the
resolve of the military generations that would follow to promote peace and security for
all Filipinos. And through the Army Transformation Roadmap (ATR), the Philippine
Army is treading on the right path as it aims to be a world-class Army by 2028.
Likewise, included in our call for celebration is the proud moment for the men and
women of Western Command (WESCOM) in showing exemplary service in sustaining
its accomplishments. The Western Command 39th Founding Anniversary is a distinct
milestone in its long decades of dedication, commitment and firm resolve and relentless
service to the province and people of Palawan. The Commands efforts in surmounting
the challenges will affect not only the future of Palawan but of the whole Filipino nation.
In keeping with these two celebrations, the Armed forces of the Philippines
will remain undaunted and determined in pushing for institutional and capability
transformation that will enable us to totally achieve our goals confidently and decisively
as we carry out our roles and empower our people and communities through IPSP
Bayanihan and AFP Transformation Roadmap.
In all these, let us together champion peace as we continue our conviction and
noble legacy to the institution and our service to the people and the whole nation.
EDITORIAL BOARD
BGEN JOSELITO E KAKILALA AFP
Commander
COL LENARD T AGUSTIN (GSC) PA
Deputy Commander
COL MANUEL V SEQUITIN (MNSA) PA
Chief of Staff
EDITORIAL STAFF
COL JOSE RANDOLF M SINO CRUZ (GSC) PA
Editor-in-Chief
CDR GREGORY GERALD V FABIC PN
Associate Editor
CPT CELESTE FRANK L SAYSON (INF) PA
Managing Editor
ART DIRECTOR
Saif S. Usman
EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS
Helen S. Buales CE
Annie E. Cruzada CE
Princess A. Samiano
Abigael M. Manalo
LITERARY CONTRIBUTORS
AW2C Carla Catherine U Catera PAF
Andre Jonathan T. Obidos CE
ARTIST
Mark Lester D. Decena
ADMINISTRATIVE & TECHNICAL SUPPORT
MSgt Leodegario A Valdez PA
TSg Jose C Sumilig PA
AW1C Thelma P Lina PAF
AW2C Ellen T Delatado PAF
Joselito R. Dellague CE
Printed by: CRSAFP Printing Press
The Ang Tala magazine, published quarterly by the
Information Development Group of the Civil Relations Service,
Armed Forces of the Philippines, is an informational tool
designed to keep its internal and external audiences aware
of the AFPs activities, administrative and operational thrusts,
and accomplishments. This publication can also be utilized to
present novel ideas related to soldiers service to the country
and people.
The opinions expressed in this publication do not
necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Armed Forces
of the Philippines or any other agencies of the Philippine
government unless otherwise specified by the author.
Letters to the Editor are encouraged. Any opinion
and article you send will be appreciated. Please send to:
magcrsafp2@gmail.com
THE COVER
JOSELITO E KAKILALA
Brigadier General
AFP
Commander
The Philippine Army is celebrating its 118th

Founding Anniversary. The cover shows a
member of the Philippine Army equipped
with the newly-acquired M4 Rifle.
Photograph by:
CMOG, PA
Vol. 4 No. 1
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CHIEF OF STAFF
ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES
CAMP GENERAL EMILIO AGUINALDO, QUEZON CITY
The Armed Forces

of the Philippines is
proud to greet the
Philippine Army on the
occasion of its
118th Anniversary!
Founded in the days of the Philippine

Revolution, the Philippine Army has consistently
fought for the countrys freedom, displaying daring
gallantry and heroism which to this day continue to
fire the ideals of the men and women of the Army in
delivering their sworn duties.
The Armys history is replete with
unquestionable commitment in achieving our
independence from colonial rulers and foreign
powers, fostering our democratic principles and
keeping the country secure, peaceful and stable in the
areas of internal security, HADR or external defense
hence the relevance of this years theme, Serving the
People, Securing the Land.
Currently guided with the Army Transformation
Roadmap, the Philippine Army is endeavoring to
transform into a more credible, dynamic, responsive,
capable and professional government institution
worthy of the peoples trust and support.
Given the present caliber of its accomplishments,
I remain positive that it will realize its goals and
remain on-track with its compliances to eventually
achieve its vision.
A snappy salute to the Philippine Army as you
look anew to increased transformative gains!
GREGORIO PIO P CATAPANG JR

General
AFP
4
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From the men

and women of the
Armed Forces of the
Philippines, we greet the
Western Command on
the occasion of its
39th Founding
Anniversary!
Celebrating with the theme, WESCOM

Hukbong Nagkakaisa at Nagsasama-sama para
sa Mapayapa, Maunlad at Matatag na Palawan,
I give credit to credence to Team WESCOM for
their keen performance that saw the eventual
normalization of Palawan. Through the hard work
and commitment exemplified by our WESCOM
forces and complemented by the notable
cooperation and partnership of its people, Palawan
is now able to focus its efforts in translating peace
and stability gains into tangible mechanisms of
prosperity.
The normalization is also a milestone that
enables the Command to heighten its efforts in
defending our territorial sovereignty. Considering
the AFPs increasing territorial defense operational
thrusts, WESCOM will continue playing a bigger
role as we gradually shift to external defense.
I am hopeful that as you mark
your anniversary, may you surpass your
accomplishments and strengthen your resolve to
boldly face another year of opportunities even as
they come with encumbering challenges.
Once again, greetings for a rewarding year
that marks your 39th purposeful presence in your
area of responsibility.
GREGORIO PIO P CATAPANG JR

General
AFP
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The Journey to Gold:

Army Institutionalizes Performance Governance System
The Philippine Army earned the
Institutionalized Status in the
Performance Governance System
(PGS) Pathway and received the
Gold Governance Trailblazer Seal in
October last year.
n a 30-minute presentation during

the Public Governance Forum,
Lt Gen Hernando DCA Iriberri
discussed the Armys journey towards
transformation. The highlight of which
are the breakthrough results in the Army
Transformation Roadmaps (ATR) five
strategic perspectives: Stakeholder Support,
Finance and Logistics, Human Resource,
Internal Processes, and Constituency; the
integration of the PGS in the Philippine
Army; how the Army embraced the culture
of good governance; and the sustainability
of the ATR.
6
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FEATURE
Sustaining the Momentum

With the Philippine Armys
success in institutionalizing the
Performance Governance System,
and having earned the Gold
Trailblazer Seal, the Philippine Army
needs to sustain the momentum, and
translate into tangible and concrete
results the Armys organizational
transformation.
The Public Governance

Forum is a regular event convened
twice a year by the Institute
of Solidarity in Asia (ISA), in
cooperation with the National
Competitiveness Council (NCC). It
features public performance reports
from national government agencies
and local government units who are
looking to advance to various stages
in the good governance pathway.
Since its implementation

in 2010, the ATR has already
gained headway in pursuing
organizational reforms. The journey
to transformation involves every
member of the Army organization.
Recognizing that governance begins
with every individual, all Army
personnel crafted their personal
scorecards, stating therein the
measures, targets and initiatives with
the end goal of contributing to the
realization of the ATR vision.
Earning the Institutionalized

Status in the PGS Pathway is a
validation that the systems and
processes are already ingrained in
the Army. However, the journey does
not stop here, the Philippine Army
will participate in the initiative called
Islands of Good Governance (IGG)
in 2015, which aims to showcase
local milestones in good governance.
This initiative is introduced by the
At present, all efforts of the
Institute for Solidarity in Asia (ISA)
Philippine Army are geared towards
The
presentation
was and the National Competitiveness
achieving the 2016 ATR Base Camp,
positively received by the panel Council (NCC).
to be a well-equipped Army that has
members who recognized the
established a respectable image in
transformation efforts of the
Lt Gen Iriberri urged all
Southeast Asia. By 2022, it expects
Philippine Army. Among the Army personnel to help achieve the
to be a modern and respected Army
panelists were: Mr. Guillermo M Luz, Philippine Armys bid for the IGG,
in Asia; and by 2028, the Philippine
the Panel Chairman; Secretary Jose which will be showcased during the
Army anticipates the realization of its
Rene Almendras, Chairman of the APEC Summit this year.
vision to be a world-class Army that
National Competitiveness Council;
is a source of national pride.
Congressman Mel Senen Sarmiento,
Philippine Army Multi-Sectoral
Board (PA MSAB) Chairman; Dir.
Antonio Aquino, PA MSAB Member;
Ms Maria Victoria Garchitorena,
PA MSAB Member; Ms Doreen
Yu, Philippine Star Columnist; Ms
Maxene Tanya Hamada, Assistant
Secretary of the Department of Budget
and Management; and Gen Dionisio
Santiago (Ret), former Commanding
General of the Philippine Army.
Vol. 4 No. 1
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FEATURE
Army
Receives
New Field
Ambulance
8
Photo by:
OACPA, PA
3/20/15 4:25 PM
The Philippine Army formally received 23 units of M1152

HMMWV ambulance in a Blessing and Turn-Over Ceremony
at the General Headquarters Canopy, Camp General Emilio
Aguinaldo, Quezon City last January 26.
A total of 30 Humvee ambulance with

matching shelter and medical equipment
set, amounting to P299,927,151.00, were
procured under the Philippine Defense
Reform Program.
The remaining seven
delivered last February 2015.
units
were
The procurement of these new ambulance

will improve the medical care capability in
the Army, particularly in the frontline units,
leading to a higher survivability rate among
combat casualties.
The Blessing and Turn-over Ceremony
was witnessed by Defense Secretary Voltaire
T Gazmin; Gen Gregorio Pio P Catapang
Jr, Chief of Staff, Armed Forces of the
Philippines; Lt Gen Hernando DCA Iriberri,
Commanding General of the Philippine
Army; and personnel from the Department
of National Defense, General Headquarters
and the Philippine Army.
Vol. 4 No. 1
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Voice of a Soldier
An Army with
Empowered
NCO Corps
he Army today is continuously

blessed with another fruitful
year as it celebrates its 118th PA
founding anniversary this coming
March 2015. As an organization focused on
the continuing effort and initiatives towards
transformation anchored in ATR, the Army
Sergeant Major has a major role and bold
responsibilities to continuously build the
character and competencies of the NCO
Corps by empowering primarily the Senior
NCO leaders through the enhancment
on leadership skills. These challenging
responsibilities of the Sergeants Major at
the different level of Command are core
challenges of the organization in developing
its human resources specially in empowering
the NCO Corps making its backbone healthy
and responsive to the challenges and to the
needs of the Army organization. These
endeavours are remarkable accomplishments
of ATR objectives of transforming and
empowering the Philippine Army NCO with
the following initiatives;
different local career courses conducted in

different Major Service Schools nationwide.
Meanwhile, there were 17 opportunities for
schooling abroad attended by PA personnel
for individual career advancement in line
with their occupational specialty.
For placement and deployment, there
were a total of 854 Enlisted Personnel were
reassigned and rotated in different units of the
PA during the period and 605 peacekeepers
were deployed in the UN mission areas.
On promotion, 3,680 EP were
promoted to the next higher rank of various
grades/rank within the organization. One
hundred eighty six of them came from
meritorious promotion.
On recruitment, during the period

1,588 new recruits nationwide passed the
Recruitment Quality Index (RQI) and
continuously there are 2,636 ongoing
Candidate Soldier (CS) Training conducted
in selected infantry division training school.
Out of these efforts, there are 18
Special Enlistment recorded during the
period.
For Career development of personnel,
there are 5,724 personnel who attended the
10
Another Moral and Welfare initiatives

implemented is the provision of decent
housing units in support to personnel basic
needs on housing. For on base housing
projects, a total of 1,195 housing units were
awarded and distributed to the personnel.
While, 200 units for Off base housing
project were given and awarded to deserving
personnel of First Scout Ranger Regiment
(FSRR) SOCOM at San Miguel, Bulacan.
For self development and leadership
enhancement, eight (8) major units of the
PA with a total of 461 senior NCOs benefited
of the training on counselling, mentoring &
coaching system.
Another milestone in the development

of
internal
processes in terms of personnel
On recognition of performance and
support
were
the installation of two (2)
dedication to duties, 302 various awards and
satellite
authorize
offices (H3ID & H8ID)
medals were given to deserving personnel.
respectively who will cater the EP ID system
On Gender and Development including their dependents.
initiatives, various program and activities
On Reimbursement of Health Expenswere conducted nationwide for the
es
(RHE),
a total of twenty seven million five
enhancement and awareness of personnel
hundred
twelve
thousands three hundred
on gender-Lens perspectives including the
thirteen
(27,512,313.00)
pesos were allotted
planners, policy makers and implementers
and
funded
for
the
benefits
of personnel and
for them to have a wider perspective on the
their
dependents.
For
Funeral
expenses assisneed to mainstream GAD in the PA Major
tance,
a
total
of
twenty
two
million,
six hunUnits.
3/20/15 4:25 PM
on discussion of change of ideas and

sharing of best practices to the Senior
NCOs and selected staffs from HPA
managed the activity nationwide. The
activity benefited a total 314 NCO
leaders who participated on said activity.
dred twenty thousands (22,620.00.00)

pesos were given to dependents of our
KIA personnel from Infantry Divisions,
SOCOM, FSRR, SFR(A), LRR, TRADOC, MID, AAR, ASCOM & HHSG.
In preparing our retirees into
more decent life after their military
service, a program of Transition
Assistance Program (TAPs) prepared
2,504 retirees and 68 personnel separated
in the service in overcoming challenges
in their new life.
More so, a total of 62,231 personal
scorecard were recorded and submitted
to concerned staff in compliance to ATR
objectives and strategy.
For disciplinary and strength
sustainment and attrition program,
a total of 2,038 EP retired from the
service during the period. Two hundred
eight (208) of which were compulsory
retirement, 1,869 were optional
retirement, nine (9) compulsory/
Complete Disability Discharge (CDD),
seventeen (17) Separated/CDD, fifteen
(15) for dependency discharge, 221 for
posthumous and two hundred ninety
two (292) for discharge in the service.
The recent Senior NCO Leader
Forum conducted on 24 July 2014, is a
core initiatives of NCO empowerment
programs and a rare opportunities for
NCO leaders in the areas to participate
About the Author
On the other hand, there are

750 copies of Squad leader handbook
and 844 copies of Platoon Sergeant
Handbook were distributed to line units
as immediate references and guides
for NCO leaders performance of their
duties and responsibilities in the area.
These entire endeavours in the
NCO empowerment program embedded
in the ATR and considered as one of
the major thrusts of the Commanding
General, Philippine Army, with his
focus supervision and directions
coupled with untiring initiatives of the
cognizant staffs, the Army surely in
good shape and responsive enough in
any challenges in ground operations for
having an empowered Army Enlisted
Personnel, a true capable backbone of
the organization.
With
the
above
Armys
accomplishments
and
successful
activities conducted, the Philippine
Army towards its vision of having a world
class Army that is a source of national
pride by 2028, is on a right path and
timely on its momentum in achieving all
its base camp goals toward at the end of
the journey of establishing its national
prides. Likewise, professionalizing the
NCO Corps today make the Army into
more ready and reliable forces fulfilling
its mandate by having an Army that is
Full Mission Capable ground forces
of the AFP. Mabuhay ang Hukbong
Katihan ng Pilipinas...
CMS WILFREDO B JAVILLONAR

672701 (INF) PA
PHILIPPINE ARMY COMMAND
SERGEANT MAJOR
CMS Wilfredo B Javillonar 672701(Inf)

PA was born on October 6, 1960 at President
Quirino, Sultan Kudarat. He graduated with a
degree of Bachelor of Secondary Education
from Colegio dela Purisima Concepcion,
Roxas City, in 1996.
He entered the military service as a 3rd
Class trainee known as Durian Force on
April 1, 1977 and was assigned in 12th Infantry
(LickM) Battalion, 3rd Infantry (Spearhead)
Division, Philippine Army, Matling, Malabang,
Lanao Del Sur after graduating from the sixmonth Training Course.
He was enlisted on August 20, 1980,
and was assigned to 6th Infantry (Red Skin)
Battalion, 3ID, PA as Team Leader, Squad
Leader and Platoon Sergeant in the provinces
of Lanao and Negros. He was further
reassigned to Division Training Unit, 3ID, PA
as Tactical NCO, Instructor and as Finance
NCO of different courses up to 1991. After
which, he was reassigned to 6th Regional
Community Defense Group, Army Reserve
Command as CMO NCO, Opn NCO and Chief
Clerk of S3 Section.
He was a recipient of the following
awards and decorations: Forty Three (43)
Military Commendation Medals, Twenty Six
(26) Military Merit Medals, Mindanao-Sulu
Medal and Ribbon, Ant-Dissidence Campaign
Medal and Ribbon,
Combat Kagitingan
Badge, Philippine Army Instructor Badge,
Visayas Anti-Dissidence Campaign Medal and
Ribbon, Marksmanship Badge (Expert), AFP
Parachutist Badge, AFP Home Defense Badge,
Presidential Unit Citation Badge, Military Civic
Action Medal, Luzon Anti-Diss Campaign
Medal, Long Service Medal, numerous Letters
of Commendations and Appreciations.
CMS Javillonar is happily married to the
former Glenda Panes Deano, and blessed with
daughter Kristel Joyce.
Vol. 4 No. 1
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WESCOM at 39:
CLOSING RANKS AND JOINING HANDS
FOR A SECURE FUTURE
he year 2014 generally provided

better times for the people of
Palawan. Clearheaded governance, progressive economic
development, booming tourism, and
improving internal peace and security conditions all worked to shape the
best climate yet for secure trade and
sustainable development in the province. Palawan remained not only as
the greenest and safest haven in the
country, but also the tourists' Shangri-La of choice as it won the title of
"Worlds Best Island Destination" in
October 2014. In addition, the entire
province were declared by all peace
and development stakeholders as a
"Zone of Sustained Peace, Development and Prosperity" and affirmed as
ready for transitioning to an LGU-led
ISO responsibility.
Quiet Heroism
To such vastly improved socioeconomic conditions, and to the general
state of security beyond the outer boundaries of Palawan, the contributions of the
Western Command (WESCOM) of the
Armed of the Philippines have been invaluable.
"Every sailor and airman; every soldier and marine; and every member and
partner of Team WESCOM pitched in to
deliver our command accomplishments,"
explained WESCOM Commander Vice
Admiral Alexander S. Lopez, as he prepared to lead this year's celebration of

WESCOM's 39th founding anniversary
at Camp Artemio Ricarte, Puerto Princesa City.
"I commend all those who endured
pain and deprivation, those who kept
watch at every station, and repeatedly
braved the odds, especially those who
got wounded in action in support of our
mission... I wish to thank, as well, every friend, partner and supporter of the
Western Command who, not only found
common ground with us, but, actively
gave the best measures of their assistance and support to our numerous activities, he added.
"On this 39th year of our WESCOM
anniversary, I admire the quiet heroism
of our troops and salute them all as defenders and patriots of our nation."
Guardian of the Last Frontier
The AFPs Western Command is the
guardian of the paradise island province
of Palawan, which is the largest province in the Philippines and is more famously known as the nations last frontier. WESCOMs Area of Responsibility
(AOR) is bounded on the North by the
Mindoro Strait, on the East by the Sulu
Sea, on the South by the Balabac Strait
and on the West by the vast West Philippine Sea. Needless to say, WESCOM
is the AFPs largest Unified Command
Photo by: WESCOM

12
3/20/15 4:25 PM
security environment is unlike any other. It contains internal security issues,

transnational threats, threats to safety
of life at sea, threats posed by illegal
entrants, threats to maritime resources,
and gathering dangers associated with
securing our territorial integrity.
With the discovery of oil in commercial quantities in 1992 in the
Malampaya Gas Field within the West
Philippine Sea, WESCOMs mandate
expanded to include the provision of
security to around 33 service contracts
covering a total land area of 11.5 million hectares around the province. The
rationale is highly strategic. Today, the
Malampaya Natural Gas-to-Power Project alone provides 40% - 45% of Luzons power.
Dangerous Grounds
in terms of sea, air and land areas. Unlike other Unified Commands, however,
WESCOMs operations are primarily sea
and air-based and territorial defense-oriented.
WESCOM came into existence on
March 16, 1976 upon the implementation of Letter of Instruction 01/76, code
named Serpens, which aimed to provide and maintain Philippine strategic presence at the Kalayaan Island
Group following its annexation as part
of the Philippine territory through Presidential Decree 1596. Organized under
Commodore Gil Fernandez as the first
Commander, the Command was initially composed of forces from the Palawan
Philippine Constabulary Command,
Philippine Air Force with Task Force Palawan, Philippine Navy Forces with a Naval Task Group, and the 4th Coast Guard
District.
Forces in the Western Philippines with

the Naval Forces West, the 3rd Marine
Brigade, the Joint Task Force Malampaya and the Tactical Operations Group
7 as its operating arms, and the 570th
Composite Tactical Wing, as its direct
support unit.
Mission Peculiarity
WESCOMs mission is identical with
those of the other Unified Commands
of the AFP. It is tasked to conduct joint
operations against all national security
threats within the area of operations in
order to establish a physically and psychologically secure environment conducive to progress and development, and
assist government agencies in their socio-economic, ecological and development activities. But Palawans threat and
Following the cancellation of the

controversial Joint Marine Seismic Undertaking in 2006, Palawans western
frontier, already a simmering seabed
of overlapping and conflicting territorial
claims, became even more dangerous
as claimants made more aggressive intrusions in a bid to secure the vast maritime and energy resources of the area.
In April 2013, China illegally occupied Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal) of Zambales, still part of
WESCOMs sea AOR, which eventually led to the Philippine governments
filing of a case before the UN Arbitral
Tribunal. Then last year, China Coast
Guard ships began to exert increasing
pressure on WESCOMs resupply missions at the Ayungin Shoal, turning the
BRP Sierra Madre (LT 57) into a critical
primary target.
Force Development
In the eighties, in view of regional instabilities related to the spread of
communism, additional forces were
deployed such as the elements of 5th
Fighter Wing and 15th Strike Wing of the
Philippine Air Force, and one brigade
from the Philippine Marines. From only
two (2) components under its operational control, WESCOM developed in force
in response to the changing national security conditions and eventually became
an area command in 1988. Over the
years, Western Command progressively
evolved into a major unit of the Armed
Vol. 4 No. 1
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Maritime Frontline
Today, as the Armed Forces of the
Philippines readjusts its clock on internal
security operations and simultaneously faces up to the challenge of territorial defense, WESCOM finds itself in the
forefront of national efforts against territorial encroachments and maritime area
exploitation.
WESCOM likewise actively supports the provincial government in meeting safety and security objectives, socio-economic programs, environmental
protection endeavors, and crisis, disaster and emergency response activities.
"I have full trust and confidence in
the command and leadership abilities
of Admiral Alex Lopez to deliver on our
peace and development objectives," admitted Palawan Governor Jose Chaves
Alvarez. "As governor of Palawan, I want
to concentrate on my economic development priorities for Palaweos through
my I-HELP program, and I have already
expressed my desire for WESCOM to
lead all actions in safety and security to
ensure unity of efforts and protect our
gains , in this regard."
Reduced Internal Threat
Such trust given to the Commander of WESCOM has not been freely bestowed, but developed on the backbone
of solid achievements. In the first quarter
of 2014 through the collaborative efforts
of WESCOM and the Provincial Government of Palawan, 23 NPA members returned to the folds of thelaw and were
subsequently reintegrated into the mainstream society through the Local Social
Integration Program.
Conducive Climate for Progress
In the second quarter of the year,
considering the diminishing province-wide insurgency levels, the Provincial Government, WESCOM, the PPPO
and other relevant agencies agreed to
consensually sign the Joint Manifesto
Declaring the Province of Palawan as
a Conflict Manage-able Area and a
Zone of Sustained Peace, Development
and Pros-perity.
Sustained WPS Presence
In the third quarter, confronted with Chinas aggressive blocking of
reprovisioning missions in the Ayungin
Detachment, the Command employed
non-traditional air and sea maneuvers
and pushed for asymmetric hardening in
14
3/20/15 4:25 PM
the West Philippine Sea and the creation

of Joint Task Force West. The Command
likewise shored up its opera-tional readiness through the conduct of the Marine
Corps' Amphibi-ous Landing Exercise
(PHIBLEX) and the Marine Tactical Warfare Simulation (MWTS) Exercise.
Reinforced
ments
Interagency
Arrange-
In the fourth quarter, WESCOM

strictly implemented the One AFP Team
concept and restructured its organization into an all-JTF configuration for
greater mission effectiveness. In anticipation of a number of potential crises
and disasters, WESCOM also initiated
the creation of a Joint and Interagency
Task Force on Integrated Crisis Assistance and Response to Emergencies,
which was tested during the visit of Typhoon Ruby in the first week of December. WESCOM, likewise, dovetailed its
mission area activities with the Provincial Governments I-HELP Plan with its
corresponding WE-DEFEND strategic
plan and took the cudgels for all matters
affecting the safety and security of Palawan, particularly on issues on illegal
entrants.
Completed BK 2015
Preparations
Moreover, WESCOM, as the Overall Balikatan Exercise Director, consulted with local officials on the BK venues,
provided key direction and guidelines
for the AFPs Exercise preparations and
supervised the completion of key steps,
with particular emphasis on the security
and safety of all participants, avoidance
of controversy and primary utilization of
WESCOM personnel actually involved in
Territorial Defense (TD) duties.
AFP Bayanihan Award for
Top Official
Near the end of 2014, in fitting recognition of the Governors breakthrough
accomplishments in peace, development and security, including initiatives
for the morale and welfare of the troops,
WESCOM facilitated the AFPs bestowal
of the AFP Bayanihan Award 2014 to the
Honorable Jose Chaves Alvarez. Recognizing the noble efforts of Governor
Alvarez in achieving good governance
by directly addressing poverty, health
and other social issues which tend to
breed peace and order problems, the
Vice Chief of Staff, AFP, Lt Gen John S
Bonafos, representing General Grego-
rio Pio P Catapang Jr, the AFP Chief of

Staff, personally expressed his gratitude
and the appreciation of the AFP and presented the coveted award to the good
governor at the Provincial Capitol on December 23, 2014, unexpectedly bringing
tears to his eyes and leading him to bare
his thoughts and sentiments on the territorial integrity of the country.
Unifying Theme
Building on the inherent power of
jointness and interagency cooperation,
which marked most of the activities of
the command with other stakeholders in
2014, particularly with the youth sector
through PIGLAS-Palawan, and the LGUs
through the Provincial Governor and City
Mayors Offices, WESCOM deliberately
chose for this years 39th command anniversary the theme, WESCOM: Hukbong Nagkakaisa at Nagsasama-sama
para sa Mapayapa, Maunlad at Matatag
na Palawan, to emphasize everyones
obligation and shared duty and commitment to close ranks and join hands in
shaping a common future for Palawan.
Nasa pagkakaisa ang lakas. Dapat
walang tayo-tayo o sila-sila o kanya-kanya. Dapat sama-sama. Ito ang
dapat nating ipakita sa WESCOM pa
lang. So my vision, really, at the end of
this year is for WESCOM to become a
jointly responsive unified command for
sustained peace, prosperity and development, asserted Vice Admiral Lopez.
Not surprisingly, the current Commander of WESCOM has already put in place
the building blocks for jointness with an
all Joint Task Force organizational set.
Col Bimbo Quemado, the Commands Chief of Operations, explained,
Everything is now joint at WESCOM. For
ISO, we have Joint Task Force Peacock,
with two Joint Task Groups for Northern
Palawan and Southern Palawan. For
support to national development, particularly energy security, we have Joint
Task Force Malampaya. For territorial
defense, we have Joint Task Force West.
And for HADR, we have operationalize the Joint Task Force I-CARE, which
stands for Integrated Crisis Assistance
and Response to Emergencies.
Asymmetries at WPS
While the internal security situation
in the WESCOM AOR has significantly
improved, a number of key challenges
still loom ahead. The main challenge in
2015 for WESCOM undoubtedly lies in
the West Philippine Sea, where various
activities undertaken by China in its held
areas, including massive land reclamations, deepening of channels and infrastructural improvements, are beginning
to reveal Chinas power projection design and pose insecurity to the Philippines and other claimant countries.
Chinas mixture of actions combining continuous illegal occupation of Bajo
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de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal) with

probing mari-time surveys, wanton illegal poachings, harassment of Philippine
vessels and blockade of resupply missions have betrayed its intent not only
to contain freedom of movement and
suppress the exercise of Philippine sovereignty in the WPS, but also to exploit
and destroy our maritime wealth. The
pressure exerted on the Ayungin detachment is particularly turning into a potential tripwire where one miscalculation or
accident could trigger serious action and
escalate into crisis or conflict. Given the
standing policy on actions which may
provoke China, including restriction on
construction in PH-held areas and sending of naval ships before coastguard
vessels, and pending the development
of AFPs TD capabilities, WESCOM will
need to dig deep into an acceptable but
effective approach in addressing the
compounding asymmetries at the WPS.
Protecting Offshore
Energy Resources
With the exploratory drilling operations by the FORUM Energy set to start
this year at the Recto Bank, notwithstanding other energy-related activities
of service contractors at the WPS, China
could send ships to harass survey vessels again and prevent Philippine drilling operations right within the Philippine
sovereign waters. The time to improve
the capabilities of civilian maritime law
enforcement agencies for extended op16
erations in the Recto Bank area is very

short. WESCOM, along with PCG, PNPMG and BFAR, will have to bear the
responsibility sustained protection and
continuous patrol of the area and its adjacent waters to show the governments
resolve in protecting its offshore energy
resources.
Handling Illegal Entrants
Primarily on account of its geography, Palawan lies fairly accessible to
any sea traveler from up north through
Coron to down south through Mangsee
and Balabac Islands. All throughout
the year, illegal foreigners and Filipinos
poach giant turtles and clams in the
seas around Palawan with significant
impact on the protected marine environment. WESCOM, as Chair of the Safety
and Security Committee of the Palawan
Council for Sustainable Development
(PCSD) and the Palawan Council on Illegal Entrants (PCIE) will not only need
to orchestrate the activities this year
of all security, intelligence and law enforcement agencies, but also facilitate
the inclusion of Palawans LGUs in the
PCIE and fight for additional funding to
help further tighten the security of the
province and manage all related issues
from administrative matters to handling
apprehended entrants and vessels.
Ensuring Safe Internal Waters
Within the waters of Palawan, the
maiden voyage last November 2014
of MV SuperStar Aquarius and of the
MV Costa Victoria on January, not only

opened the province to the weekly influx
of over 2,500 tourists, but also facilitated the scheduled port of call of seven
(7) other international cruise liners this
year. While promising a significant windfall for the local economy, the movement
of these ships along the long stretch
of Palawans southern coastline will, at
the same time, provide further security
risks at WESCOMs AOR. Ensuring the
safe and secure passage of these ships
will require the integrated efforts of the
Provincial Government of Palawan, the
Department of Tourism of Region IV-B,
WESCOM, the PPPO and the PCG, and
other concerned agencies. With its control of the Littoral Observatory Stations
and prime response assets such as
aircraft and sea vessels for any contingency, the WESCOM is expected to reinforce area security for these cruise liners
and to respond as well to any crisis.
Sustaining the Peace
With only four (4) out of 433 barangays classified as less-influenced at the
end of 2014, with no formal CNN organization existing in the province, and with
no rogue MNLF or MILF threat groups
running wild, Palawan has been declared as a Conflict-Manageable Area.
WESCOMs handover of the counter-insurgency role to the local government
units and the PPPO is scheduled in the
second quarter of 2015. WESCOM,
however, will be actively involved in pre-
3/20/15 4:25 PM
venting the resurgence of any insurgent

activity to sus-tain the gains of peace.
Containing
Crisis
Potential
Spillover
duction and management protocols and

arrangements as well as the conduct of
joint exercises to ensure response effectiveness.
Down south beyond the municipality

of Bataraza and the Mangsee Islands,
the fate of over 800,000 illegal Filipino
migrants in Sabah deserves constant
monitoring since any crucial development such as the conviction of the Filipino Lahad Datu rebel leaders by the Malaysian Court with the penalty of death
or the destruction of their water villages
could trigger the massive movement of
refugees back to the country via Mapun
Island or Mangsee Islands and further
lead to a spillover crisis in Southern
Palawan. As the Commander of the Inci-dent Command System for the Sabah
spillover crisis in Palawan, WESCOM
will have its hands full managing the crisis, should it occur.
Securing RP-US Balikatan 2015
Managing Crisis and Disaster Impact
In the area of force level command

and control as well as provision of support and training, the Western Command
remains committed in improving its force
structure for more effective joint and inter-agency operations, as its primary
focus. This will require more targeted
training opportunities for its key officers
and personnel in Territorial Defense-related Operations which will include information operations, effective occupancy,
increased maritime presence, and sustained operations.
With the added reality of climate

change impact and to guarantee unity of
effort as well as avoid agency confusion
in times of crises and disasters, Governor Alvarez has desired that WESCOM
to wield command and control over all
humanitarian assistance and disaster
response activities and security operations. This year, in pursuit of an integrated approach through Palawans IATF
I-CARE, WESCOM will needs to spearhead the establishment of crisis risk re-
The preparations for RP-US Balikatan 2015 which is completed and set to
start in Palawan and other parts of the
country in the first quarter of this year
- with the Commander of WESCOM
placed in overall charge of the joint exercises. Given the memory of a very recent case where a US serviceman was
allegedly involved in the death of a Filipino, and the controversy surrounding the
Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), WESCOM needs to ensure not only safe training grounds, but
a controlled risk-free environment for all
participants.
Consolidating for Overall Mission Effectiveness
structure, WESCOM will likewise be harmonizing, synchronizing and integrating

all operational activities and corresponding support function under its Joint Command and Operation Center.
One WESCOM, One AFP Team
The key step to a comprehensive
approach basically lies in re-inforcing
the One AFP Team culture at WESCOM
even as the Command strives to muster
support and generate enough resources
to build up its competence and improve
effectiveness for joint opera-tions in key
mission areas. Notwithstanding its lack
in manpower and operational capabilities, WESCOM is determined to forge
ahead on the DND and AFPs strategic
guidance, on the growing unity among
its units as members of Team WESCOM,
on its evolving solidarity with all concerned stakeholders to attain common
ends, and on its firm belief in the power
and genius of comprehensive all-hands
cooperation.
As we chart another year of mission-driven efforts, may we remain dedicated to our duties, determined to stay
united, resolute in making the hard decisions, and strong in faith in ad-vancing
the priceless interest of our people and
the inviolable security of our country,
Admiral Lopez closed.
In pursuit of a Unified Command

Vol. 4 No. 1
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UPDATES
STARTS THE YEAR
2015
WITH A BLAST
he traditional New Years Call

and the Internal Peace and
Security Operations (IPSO)
Assessment were the first major
events in Northern Luzon Command
(NOLCOM) Headquarters at Camp
General Servillano Aquino for the
year 2015. The commander of the
units under NOLCOMs operational
control and supervision were both
held on January 10, 2015.
The activity started with
a New Years Call to NOLCOM
Commander, LTGEN FELICITO
VIRGILIO M TRINIDAD JR AFP by
more than a hundred commanders
and chiefs of offices followed by a
New Years Toast from the Navy,
Air Force and Army Components
represented by COMMODORE
SEVERINO VICENTE T DAVID
AFP, MGEN JULIUS CESAR M
GUILLERMO AFP AND MGEN
GLORIOSO V MIRANDA AFP.
LTGEN TRINIDAD graciously
responded to them in his New Years
Message and Toast. The invaluable
contributions of each individual
component to the strengthening of
the attainment of NOLCOMs goals
were highlighted in his speech, as well
as the call for continued dedication
and collaboration of everyone this
2015 in pursuit of lasting peace and
prosperity for the entire nation.
Aside from the meal, the
gifts and the fellowship, the big
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3/20/15 4:25 PM
party paved the way to stronger ties

between Commanders and improved
strategic planning for NOLCOM as a
Unified Command. This was further
established in the IPSO Assessment
which tackled the programs and
accomplishments of each area of
command for the year 2014, and
geared towards starting the year right
through the transformation of their
opportunities into strengths. The
said IPSO Assessment Conference
was a good start to synchronize
all programs and efforts of both
administrative and operations that
may enhance field tactics and courses
of action to attain their respective
missions.
joined the APEC 2015 Conference

Planning on January 20, 2015 at Police
Regional Office-3 Camp Olivas, San
Fernando, Pampanga. NOLCOM
hosted the 4th Stakeholders Meeting
on Protection and Development
of Sugar Production with Central
Azucarera De Tarlac on January
22, 2014 at Cordillera Hall, Camp
General Servillano Aquino, San
Miguel, Tarlac City. In January 26,
2014, NOLCOMs partnership with
RK Shimizu (Nagasaki) Foundation,
Inc. resulted in the Ground Breaking
Ceremony of a one- storey, twoclassroom project in Masamat

Elementary School in Mexico,
Pampanga. By the end of January,
LTGEN TRINIDAD joined the
FULL Council Meeting of National
Economic
and
Development
Authority (NEDA) with the
Department of Justice Secretary,
Hon. Leila M. De Lima in Maimpis,
San Fernando, City of Pampanga.
NOLCOM guided by welldefined strategic concepts of the

Internal Peace and Security Plan
(IPSP) Bayanihan is committed
in pursuing its mission through
conventional
and
innovative
approaches.
In line with this, LTGEN
TRINIDAD
attended
various
conferences and meetings with
stakeholders in January alone. He
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Our brave soldiers standing guard

over our Last Frontier
Photo by: WESCOM
Vol. 4 No. 1
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SOLCOM@28. PHILIPPINE ARMY COMMANDING GENERAL LTGEN HERNANDO DC

A. IRIBERRI AFP serves as the guest of honor and speaker during the 28th SOLCOM
Founding Anniversary on February 12, 2015. He was welcomed by SOLCOM
COMMANDER MAJOR GENERAL RICARDO R VISAYA AFP.
solcom:
PEACE
no
longer
a dream
After 28 years, Southern Luzon Command
moves forward to making more peace
efforts in its regions by creating strong
bonds with its stakeholders, building up
communities and bringing the services of
the government closer to the people.
Major General Ricardo R Visaya AFP,
Commander, SOLCOM
22
The commemoration of the 28th SOLCOM Founding

Anniversary with the theme SOLCOM: 28 Taong Tapat
na Serbisyo at Kaagapay ng Sambayanan Tungo sa
Kapayapaan, Kaunlaran at Kasaganaan sa Katimugang
Luzon on February 12, 2015 was a remarkable event as it
once again proved to the people its responsive and effective
performance of its constitutional mandate in its area of
responsibility.
After almost three decades of its steadfast service and
hard-fought battle against insurgency, SOLCOM marked
its 28th Founding Anniversary with the declaration
of Catanduanes and Camarines Norte as conflict
manageable and ready for further development. This and
other Bayanihan activities were highlighted during the
celebration.
Thus, the celebrations guest of honor and speaker,
PHILIPPINE ARMY COMMANDING GENERAL
LTGEN HERNANDO DCA IRIBERRI AFP recognized
SOLCOMs best efforts in internal peace support and
stability as it weakens the CPP-NPA-NDF through the
neutralization of 112 regular members and capture of 18
CNN ranking leaders which weakened the movement's
regional base in Southern Luzon.
3/20/15 4:25 PM
HEALTH FAIR. SOLCOM conducts health fair and feeding program as part of its
Pre-Anniversary activities on January 31 to February 6, this year.
THANKSGIVING MASS. SOLCOM conducts thanksgiving mass as a way of expressing its

gratitude to the Lord for all the challenges it has overcome in the past 28 years as well as to
seek guidance from Him for the success of future endeavors of the command.
Through the years, SOLCOM

has built strong partnerships with
different stakeholders resulting in
numerous collaborative communitybuilding activities like Humanitarian
Assistance and Disaster Response
Operations,
medical
missions,
construction of farm to market
roads, livelihood assistance and other
people-centered projects.
Indeed, this success can be
attributed to SOLCOMs arduous
labor and leadership built through
the selfless assistance from the public.
And now, as SOLCOM marks its
28th year, it continuously honors
the organization and people behind
its dramatic success. These people
significantly shared their ideas,
efforts and resources which helped
SOLCOM in bringing genuine service
towards peace and development.
SPORTSFEST. SOLCOM personnel are

divided into different groups to compete to
the numerous sports and fun games like
basketball, volleyball, fun run etc.
awarded with GHQ Plaques include

Catanduanes Governor CHON
ARACELI BERNARDINO-WONG
and PUP Quezon Director DR DELIA
R ROADILLA. While Command
plaques were also awarded to DOLE 5
Regional Director DIR NATHANIEL
V LACAMBRA; Camarines Norte
Governor EDGARDO E TALLADO;
Baras, Rizal Mayor KATHRINE B
ROBLES; General Luna, Quezon
LEOVIGILDO R RUZOL; and
Federation of Filipino- Chinese
Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Inc.
Lucena Chapter President
ROZALDIE B CHUA.
ORLANDO C RAMOS JR (MI) PA;

CPT MELCHOR ZARANDONA
(INF) PA; CPT LLOYD BRIAN
PALER (CE) PA; 2LT LINLEY MARL
M DAJAO (INF) PA; SSg Adonis C
Cal (Inf) PA; SSg Jessie O Austria
PAF and Pfc Rommel A Lamadrid
(Inf) PA.
Meanwhile,
various
preanniversary activities were also
conducted like health fair, feeding
activity, fun run, fun golf, and mass
celebration and socials.
In his message, SOLCOM

COMMANDER, MGEN RICARDO
R VISAYA AFP said that peace
On the other hand 12 soldiers is no longer a dream but a reality
were also awarded for their gallantry easily imaginable with SOLCOM, its
and efficiency. They are COL stakeholders and the communities.
CORNELIO ORTEZA DS (GSC);
LTC ALLEN RAYMUND TOMAS
(INF) PA; LTC EMMA JUNE
Among these stakeholders, BELICENA NC; MAJ NOREEN
officials, individuals and organization B CALAOAGAN (AGS) PA; MAJ
Vol. 4 No. 1
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CENTCOM
UPDATES
JTF FRANCIS
SECURES
PAPAL VISIT
IN LEYTE
By: Cpl Joy P dela Pea PA, 3CRG
It was a good start for the year 2015 for all of us

Filipinos with the historical visit of His Holiness Pope
Francis of Rome last January 15-19, 2015.
Tacloban City and Palo, Leyte were among the
places visited by Pope Francis to see and feel for himself
the plight of the victims of the disaster-stricken areas of
Super Typhoon Yolanda more than a year ago.
As the highest man in the Catholic Church, every
Filipino had been looking forward to witness his visit. It
was expected that huge crowds would welcome the Pope
in his every engagement.
With this, the Armed Forces Central Command
was tasked to secure the Popes visit in Leyte thus; the
creation of the Joint Task Force Francis (JTF Francis)
headed by BGEN WILSON M LEYVA AFP, 801st Brigade
Commander to oversee the overall preparations, during
and after the apostolic visit.
Pope Francis visited Tacloban City and Palo, Leyte
on January 17, 2015 and it was considered successful not
only for the Filipino people but throughout the world.
JTF Francis called upon the different branches
of service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)
to ensure the safety of Pope Francis through proper
coordination and planned activities.
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3/20/15 4:25 PM
GEN GREGORIO PIO CATAPANG JR, AFP, Chief of

Staff, Armed Forces of the Philippines personally leads
the conduct of security inspection at the DZR Airport,
Tacloban City in preparation for the Papal visit.
LTC MARIO B DEMAISIP (GSC) PA,

Group Commander, 3rd Civil Relations Group,
Civil Relations Service, AFP (3CRG, CRSAFP)
was designated as the Joint Task Group
Commander of the Task Group Information
Operations (JTG-IO). JTG-IO was tasked
to support the JTF Francis in the conduct of
information operations aimed to deter and
disrupt possible hostile plans of any threat
groups to further ensure the safety and security
of the Pope, his entourage, and the general
public as well.
It cannot be denied that issues sprouted
a day before the arrival of Pope Francis but the
Information Operations Group was quick to
address it. When the organizer of Peoples Surge
from Manila and Cebu arrived at Tacloban
and started distributing leaflets criticizing
the governments slow effort in rehabilitating
Yolanda victims, the IO Group began to engage
the group of Father Reyes by explaining that
there is a proper time and place to discuss
things they wanted to exploit.
The coming of the Pope is about
spiritual strengthening promoting the Mercy
and Compassion and anybody that will go
against it will have no mercy and compassion
within themselves.
Vol. 4 No. 1
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UPDATES
WESTMINCOM
TH
CRG BIGKIS LAHI PROGRAM:

TOWARDS CREATING A NATIONAL MOVEMENT
FOR MUTUAL RESPECT AND UNDERSTANDING
igkis Lahi para sa Kapayapaan (Inter-cultural and Interreligious Dialogue for Peace) is a 4th Civil Relations
Group (4CRG) program that intends to advance and
espouse the values of mutual respect, understanding and coexistence among inter-cultural and inter-religious groups
in mixed communities of Christian, Muslim and Lumad.
It is a program intended to espouse positive values against
radical elements among these communities which in some
cases caused tensions, conflict, and violence. The program
complements programs of partner organizations that advance
interfaith dialogue, and inter-religious engagement. It is not
an independent initiative but supports efforts that seek to
lobby like-minded individuals and groups at grassroots level
to shun ideologies that challenge the unity and prosperity of
communities.
The Bigkis Lahi program is a youth-oriented program
that involves youth leaders in the mixed communities
of Christians, Muslim, and Lumads, thereby providing a
platform and mechanisms for early engagement, cooperation
and experience that will harness the development and
practice of mutual respect and understanding, and most
importantly co-existence under the atmosphere of national
unity in diversity. This is a direct response to the idea
of exclusiveness and division among mixed communities

borne out of prejudices, biases, and distrust. The program
posits that when there is mutual respect, understanding,
trust and atmosphere of co-existence in the community, this
environment will work against any ideologies that espouse
division and promote extremism and radicalism.
According to the plan, the program will be implemented
in four (4) areas namely Zamboanga City, Cotabato City,
Basilan and Sulu. Two pilot programs were implemented in
Zamboanga City on December 22-23, 2014; and in Cotabato
City on January 7-8, 2015.
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The Bigkis Lahi program in Zamboanga City was

participated by youth leaders from eight (8) selected Barangays
of 44 youth leader participants in Zamboanga City who
attended a two (2) day seminar-training, and 26 youth leaders
in Cotabato City.
The trained youth leaders became the Bigkis Lahi
program champions and advocates of the values of mutual
respect and understanding in their communities. They serve
as links and organizers of a Barangay-based community
engagement initiative that will become the platform and
mechanism for grassroots engagement. The idea is to have
another symposium and seminar in the barangays, which

intends to have at least 50 youth participants which will be
organized by the youth champions in their barangays.
The Bigkis Lahi program will steer a national
movement for mutual respect, understanding and co-existence
in the multi-cultural and diverse Philippine society, especially
in Mindanao. The 4th Civil Relations Group will facilitate and
assist in establishing this movement until it will be able to
operate independently and capable of spreading the program,
mission and goals.
Vol. 4 No. 1
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UPDATES
EASTMINCOM
Preserve the Culture,

Empower the Nation
Kathleen Kay Tabuno, 5CRG, CRSAFP
At least 370 million people worldwide are considered to be indigenous.

Indigenous people do not necessarily claim to be the only people native to
their countries, but in many cases indigenous people are indeed aboriginal
or native to the lands they live in, being descendants of those people that
inhabited a territory prior to colonization or formation of the present state.
Indigenous people have their
own distinct languages, cultures,
and social and political institutions
that are very different from those
of mainstream society. While
they face the same experience of
discrimination and marginalization
as other ethnic minorities, there are
very important differences in terms
of their rights and identity.
members and recruits came from

this sector due to lack of basic
services since there were no available
roads between the market and IP
communities which in result makes
the IPs vulnerable to the exploitation
and recruitment of the armed threat
groups.
Further, most of the Ancestral

Domains of the IPs are being utilized
Contrary to other ethnic as Guerilla Bases by the enemy,
minorities that struggle to protect resulting in the displacement of IPs
their rights on an individual level, from their very own land. These
indigenous people have always concerns are not limited to but also
stressed the need to recognize their includes outside interference that
collective rights.
affects their way of life.
In connection with the
continuing thrust of the Armed
Forces of the Philippines to engage all
sectors to become an effective partner
in peace and development projects,
the EMC have made it a priority to
primarily focus the limelight on the
Indigenous People (IP) sector.
Indigenous people often inhabit

land, which is rich in minerals and
natural resources. They have prior
rights to their territories, lands
and resources, but often these have
been taken away from them or they
have been threatened to leave. They
also face serious difficulties such
as constant threats of territorial
More or less 70% of NPA invasion and murder, plundering of
28
their resources, cultural and legal

discrimination, as well as a lack of
recognition of their own institutions.
To help address the plights of the
IPs and to advance their concerns to
the mainstream society, this Group,
in coordination with the Office of
the Presidential Adviser on the Peace
Process (OPAPP) developed the
AFP-IP Engagement Framework.
This framework aims to address the
following; 1. The Indigenous Political
Structure 2. Ancestral Domain
3.
Economic
Framework
4.
Customary Defense System and 5.
Quick Reaction Team.
To begin the attainment of
the objectives of this framework,
the Eastern Mindanao Command
(EMC), in partnership with National
Commission on Indigenous People
XI (NCIP), Sulong Katutubo Inc
(SKI), Supreme Tribal Council for
Peace and Development (STCPD),
ARENA XI, Bantay Bayanihan, and
the IP representatives from far flung
3/20/15 4:25 PM
areas in Region XI formed a Technical

Working Group (TWG) in order to
discuss the implementing guidelines
of the AFP-IP Framework and the
formulation of the Campaign Plans
in engaging the issues and concerns
of the IPs in Region. The conduct of
this TWG was to assess the needs and
to gather primary concerns of the
tribes situated in the far flung areas.
The formation of the TWG
comprising of the AFP, IP Leaders,
NGAs, and NGOs is an effective
prelude to the attainment of the
objectives of the framework and the
formulation of guidelines that will be
integrated in the development plans
of the LGUs. When the framework
and resolutions being discussed
in this forum will be adapted to
development plans, the creation of
program and the delivery of basic
services to the IP communities will
surely be fast tracked.
During the activity, a happy
countenance of the IP leaders were
reflected and they participated
actively and enthusiastically in the
forum that somehow the answer
to their concerns will be addressed
through the support of the AFP
particularly of the EMC.
The successful conduct of IP
Forum in Region 11 last 29 October
2014 and in CARAGA Region last 14
December 2014 could be the template
of the forthcoming IP forum for
the other regions within EMC AOR
specifically in Regions 10 and 12.
Accordingly, the conduct of IP
Forums on Regions XI and CARAGA
aims to empower the Indigenous
Political Structure (IPS) of our
native brothers and sisters. The event
also aims to gather their issues and
concerns on their areas in order for
the government to hear and consider
their sentiments.
Some may not notice the

importance of the IPs but they
play a very significant role in the
preservation of Filipino culture. In
carrying out the history, customs and
traditions of our forefathers.
continued existence as people, in

accordance with their own cultural
patterns, social institutions and legal
systems.
The government has affirmed

its full support to the indigenous
Today, many indigenous people and traditional people to sustainably
are still excluded from society and manage their resources, and to
deprived of their rights as equal to maintain, use, and strengthen their
other citizens whom the AFP has traditional ecological knowledge.
noticed due to their constant contact
The military has also shown
with them in the mountainous areas
and thus, they wished to assist them fully its respect on the indigenous
in their problems concerning the and traditional peoples' human and
development rights, and recognizes
government.
the importance of the conservation
Nevertheless
they
are of their cultures.
determined to preserve, develop and
Finally,
the
conduct
of
passed on to future generations their
ancestral territories and their ethnic Indigenous People Forum has just
identity, insisting on their right to embarked a new beginning and has
self-determination. Their ethnic established a historical milestone in
identity has become the basis of their achieving a just and lasting peace.
Vol. 4 No. 1
29
3/20/15 4:25 PM
UPDATES
Five Days in January:
JTF-NCR and
the Papal
Experience
he visit to the Philippines of Pope

Francis, from January 15-19, 2015
was greeted with enthusiasm and
ardour by devout Roman Catholics and
participated in by non-Catholics and
other religious sectors of society. As the
whole country prepared for his eminence
arrival to the country, the Armed Forces
of the Philippines (AFP) was busy too as
it was tasked by the National Organizing
Committee for the State and Apostolic
Visit of His Holiness Pope Francis (PVNOC) for security preparations.
AFP security preparations started
last August 2014 with all the stakeholders
to the Papal visit. The AFP was tasked
to support the Philippine National
Police in providing security forces for
the protection of the Pope in the Papal
activity sites. The AFP in turn directed the
Joint Task Force-National Capital Region
(JTF-NCR) to create Joint Task ForcePOPE which was composed of about
30
7,000 uniformed men and women from

the Major Services and Reservist units
and equipment, to address the security
requirements. Likewise, several Joint
Task Groups were created by JTF-POPE
to meet other mounting concerns.
Aside from fielding a robust security
contingent geared towards ensuring the
protection of the Pope and His delegation,
JTF-NCR also provided Civil-Military
Operations (CMO) personnel with the
Office of the Papal Nuncio who conducted
joint coordination with the Heads of the
Catholic Faith, government agencies,
local government units, non-government
organizations, CSOs, PNP, MMDA and
other stakeholders. CMO preparations
included: deliberate planning, sustained
stakeholder engagements, periodic
training and rehearsals, review of plans
and contingencies, and intelligence
fusion.
With regards to whether the security

preparation was outlandish, challenges
and risks were there. But the key to
success of this activity was the amount
of preparation, planning and training, as
well as the professionalism and degree of
discipline and dedication exhibited by our
AFP personnel and reservists; and thus
ensured the safety and relevance of the
Papal visit.
Another concern adding to the
security risk was the possibility of natural
or man-made disasters occurring such
as earthquakes and conflagrations during
the Papal visit. We were particularly
apprehensive about this since a
magnitude of 6 earthquake occurred in
Metro Manila and other areas of Luzon
around 4am on January 11, 2015 just 4
days before the arrival of the Pope in the
country. This scenario came out during
the scenario planning conducted by OCD,
3/20/15 4:26 PM
UPDATES
NCR in Manila and was participated in by

JTF-NCR, last December 18, 2014. If such
an event occurred, the AFP was more than
prepared as follow on reserve forces from
Northern and Southern Luzon Commands
were on standby in their respective stations
to support deployed forces in Tacloban City,
Leyte and in NCR.
However, Tropical Storm Amang was
not a surprise to us as PAGASA predicted the
possibility of storm entering the Philippine
Area of Responsibility on the second week
of January 2015, exactly on top of the Papal
visit. Fortunately, as the storm grew stronger,
the Pope was still able to visit Tacloban City
On the other hand, the police and the military formed human chains along the
for the blessing of Yolanda victims and was
Papal routes in Manila to prevent rowdy people from mobbing the Pope.
able to fly back safely to Manila on January
17, 2015.
Thanks to the vigilance and preparation of the Filipino people, the Pope was
able to celebrate Sunday mass at the Quirino Grand Stand without any untoward
We experienced anxious moments, most
incident, thereby capping off a successful and fruitful visit.
of the time actually, since the Pope is known
for breaking security protocols as he usually
stopped his vehicle to fondly meet the crowd.
Vol. 4 No. 1
31
3/20/15 4:26 PM
AWARDING OF
TO
REWARD MONEY
INFORMANTS
Golden Harvest Plantation in Basilan. He was arrested

by joint elements of the Philippine Army and Philippine
National Police at Barangay Payatas, Quezon City last July
25, 2012.
The neutralization of the NPA leader and ASG

members is a significant accomplishment in the AFP. The
informants are one of the instruments in the capture of the
communists and terrorists. They played a big part in the
campaign for peace and security in the nation.
ASG member Muktar Ladjaperma alias Tuan Muks/

Ustadz Muktar/Muktar has a bounty of Php 600,000.00,
wanted for six (6) counts of Kidnapping and Serious Illegal
Detention with Ransom for the abduction of six (6) members
of Jehovahs Witnesses in Patikul, Sulu. He was arrested at
Zamboanga City International Airport last June 03, 2013.
And ASG member Jailani Basirul with a cash reward of Php
600,000.00 was captured last March 15, 2013 at Zamboanga
City. Basirul is wanted for kidnapping and Serious
Illegal Detention for his involvement in the Dos Palmas
abduction, massacre at the Golden Harvest Plantation,
extortion activities along Tungawan Municipality Highway
and illegal shipment of war materials and foodstuff from
their sympathizers in Basilan and Zamboanga.
e end the year 2014 and start 2015 with success.

A lot of events happened for the past year.
Some are beneficial and others we can say
were situations that challenged the military organization.
It is important if we focused on the achievements of the
organization especially with the involvement of the civilian
sector. One of these is the awarding of four informants
that led to the capture of one New Peoples Army (NPA)
top leader and four Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) terrorist
members. The cash reward was awarded by AFP Vice Chief
of Staff LTGEN JOHN S BONAFOS AFP last December 16,
2014 at the GHQ Conference Room, GHQ Building, Camp
Aguinaldo, Quezon City.
Numerous crimes were committed by Loida Magpatoc

also known as Gwen/Bebyang/Hero, the Secretary of Far
Southern Mindanao Region (FSMR) of the Communist
Party of the Philippines-New Peoples Army (CPP-NPA)
with reward money of Php 5.6 Million. She is wanted for
robbery with double homicide and damage to property
due to various attacks to private and government facilities.
Magpatoc was captured by joint elements of the Philippine
Army and Philippine National Police at the vicinity of Old
Terminal, Barangay Zone 3, Digos City, Davao Del Sur on
July 28, 2013.
ASG Sub-Leader Basal Taib Sali alias Gong-Gong
Sali/Abu Husni has a bounty of Php 5.3 Million. He is
wanted for the abduction of doctors and nurses at Doctor
Torres Hospital in Lamitan, Basilan, kidnapping and Serious
Illegal Detention for his involvement in the infamous
Lamitan Siege and during the attack and massacre at the
32
The arrests were conducted by the joint operations of

the Philippine Army and Philippine National Police.
The capture of high-profile NPA and ASG personalities
is a milestone for all us. This is another step towards
achieving peace and development in the country. Reliable
and valid information provided by the informants is a key
to the success of military and police operations.
It is a good start for this year and we are looking
forward for another accomplishment with the help and
support of the civilians. Let us support the AFP in attaining
lasting peace towards progress and prosperity.
Source: DWDD News - http://www.dwdd.com.ph
3/20/15 4:26 PM
A Closer Look on the
AFP Coat of Arms

The coat of arms is a very important heraldic device being used by military organizations around the world. It is a symbol which
identifies the armed forces of every nation.
The present coat of arms of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) traces its roots
when the Katipunan started to raise its army
in 1892 (See Figure 1) . The early use of
seals and medallions by some officers of the
Katipunan are symbolic and interpretative of
the office or position being held by the wearer
(See Figure 2). Starting from the indigenous
design of the Katipunan, it evolved into a colonial inspired motif until it was replaced by
locally designed coat of arms incorporating
therein the indigenous figures or symbols
particularly the sun and the ancient Filipino
script.
However, some AFP units had already
deviated from its original design by replacing
the original figures and colors of the coat of
arms (See Figure 5). Some of these deviations are rearranging the position of the three
stars, distorting the shape of the triangle and
scroll, transforming the Sampaguita garland
into olive or laurel leaves, replacing the color
blue letter (sometimes mistaken to be a
letter I or H) into black, white or yellow gold,
and changing the font face of the word PHILIPPINES on the scroll.
By virtue of Executive Order Number 94
of President Manuel Roxas, the Headquarters National Defense Forces issued General
Orders Number 228 dated 24 October 1947
redesignating the Army of the Philippines to
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). Immediately thereafter, a new coat of arms for
the AFP was designed and adopted which
was very similar to the Coat of Arms of the
Army of the Philippines (See Figure 3).
It was only a minor change since the
Coat of Arms of the Philippine Commonwealth was only replaced by the Coat of
Arms of the Third Philippine Republic. It also
retained the American bald eagle with three
stars over its head. The beak of the eagle
clutches a scroll with the inscription Republic of the Philippines and grasping an olive
Figure 1. The official seal and

coat of arms of the Katipunan
(1892-1897).
Figure 2. The official seal and coat

of arms of Gen. Emilio Jacinto as
army chief of the Katipunan forces operating in Manila, Morong
(now Rizal), Bulacan and Nueva
Ecija (1896 to 1897).
LTC RICHARD T SERVITO (CAV) PA

branch with eight leaves and eight fruits on
right talon representing peace and three
spears on left talon representing war. The
eagle had its head turned towards the olive
branch to symbolize its preference for peace.
Later, it was observed that there was redundancy on the use of stars and eagles on the
AFP Coat of Arms and the symbolisms it represent.
The first design of the AFP Coat of Arms
introduced in 1947 was short-lived and had
undergone major revision on its design. Upon
orders of Lt Gen Jesus Vargas, Chief of Staff
AFP, a study was then conducted for the
adoption of the new coat of arms and rank
insignias for the AFP. The intent is to localize
the design by incorporating indigenous figures or Philippine symbols and totally depart
from its colonial inspired design wherein the
bald eagle of the United States of America
and the lion rampant of Spain has to be removed from the AFP Coat of Arms.
The study committee that was created
was directed to focus on the design of the
coat of arms and rank insignias by considering the fundamental principles of heraldry
as its guide:
1.The design must be expressive of the
most salient national symbolism, either
by use of symbolic objects or by allegory.
2.The design must be simple yet it must
accurately portray a national tradition or
sentiment.
3.The design must be of natural and logical aptness.
On 17 March 1955, the new design for
the coat of arms and rank insignias for use
of the AFP was approved by President Ramon Magsaysay after a series of review and
careful study. The General Headquarters
AFP then issued Circular Number 22 dated
21 April 1955, prescribing the use of a new
set of rank insignias for AFP officers and a
new coat of arms for the AFP (See Figure 4).
The second design of the AFP Coat of
Arms is composed of a triangle (color silver),
a sun (color gold), three stars (color gold),
Figure 3. The first design of

the AFP Coat of Arms (1947
to 1955).
Figure 4. The second design of the

AFP Coat of Arms (1955 to date).
Figure 5. Some of the incorrect designs of the AFP Coat of Arms.
Sampaguita garland (color gold), and a scroll

(color blue). The triangle forms the central
motif over which is superimposed on the center of eight-rayed sun charged with the letter
K in old Tagalog script (color blue). One
side of the triangle (or the base) is horizontal
and the vertex points upward to the center of
the three small stars joined together. Below
the base is a scroll containing the word PHILIPPINES (color gold) from which emanates
a garland of Sampaguita tapering upwards
in an arc around the triangle until it joins the
three stars above the triangle.
The second design of the AFP Coat of
Arms was also prescribed to be used in the
officers cap insignia, enlisted mens cap insignia, officers lapel or field cap insignia, enlisted mens collar or field cap insignia, and
buttons. The historic change on the AFP Coat
of Arms and Rank Insignias finally took effect on 1 September 1955 and continue to be
used up to this day.
By taking a closer look on the AFP
Coat of Arms, one can observe that that the
shapes of the figures clearly resembles that
of the officer rank insignias, e.g., the equilateral triangle for company grade officers and
the eight-rayed sun for field grade officers.
Whether a company or field grade officer
belongs to the Army, the Air Force, the Navy
or the Technical and Administrative Services
there is only one color being used for the ancient letter on their respective rank insignias
- and that is color blue.
As the officers, enlisted personnel and
civilian employees celebrate the Armed Forces Day this year, they should be reminded
that it is their duty to preserve the glorious
history and rich martial heritage of the AFP,
and one of these is by using the original design of the AFP Coat of Arms and take pride
on its evolution.
A Filipino soldier who understands his
military history will not be confused on his
military identity.
LTC RICHARD T SERVITO (CAV) PA is presently the
Chief of Plans and Research Branch, OG9, PA and a
member of the PA Heraldry Board. He served as Unit
Historian of the Army Aviation Battalion and taught
Philippine Military History when he was assigned at
the Training and Doctrine Command.
REFERENCES: 1.Circular Nr 22, GHQAFP dated 21 April 1955. 2.The Frontline Emblems, Headquarters Philippine Army, 2004.
3.The Light of Liberty, Jim Richardson, Ateneo de Manila University Press, 2013.
Vol. 4 No. 1
33
3/20/15 4:26 PM
FEATURE
DWDD bags
Best Radio Station

Asian Peace and
Unity Corps Awards
The Asian Peace and Unity

Corps Philippines (APUC) under the
umbrella of the Universal Peace Federation (UPF) through its Search and
Selection Panel on PEACE Awards
bestowed Best Station in Radio Category to DWDD 1134 kHz KATROPA RADIO during the ceremonies
held on January 31, 2015 during the
Asian Summit 2015 with the theme
Toward Peace, Security and Human
Development in the Asia Pacific Region at the historic Manila Hotel,
Philippines.
In behalf of DWDD 1134 kHz
KATROPA RADIO, MAJ MICHAEL
T AQUINO (INF) PA, station manager (third from left) receives the
trophy for Best Station in Radio
Category during the Asian Peace and
Unity Corps Awards ceremonies at
Asian Summit 2015 with the theme
Toward Peace, Security and Human
Development in the Asia Pacific Region held on January 31, 2015 at the
historic Manila Hotel, Philippines.
UPF is a global non-government organization with special consultative status with the Economic
and Social Council of the United
Nations. It supports the work of the
United Nations, particularly in the
areas of interfaith peace-building,
peace education, and the strengthenThe UPF bestows the PEACE ing of marriage and family.
Awards in recognition to deservDedicated to achieving world
ing individuals and organizations in
peace,
UPF
is an international nettheir field of expertise that contributes to peace, unity and prosperity in work of individuals and organizations, including representatives from
the country.
34
religion, government, civil society

and the private sector.
DWDD 1134 kHz KATROPA RADIO is honored to receive this
recognition as we exert our best efforts to support national goals and
accomplish Department of National
Defense (DND) and Armed Forces
of the Philippines (AFP) missions
by serving as an effective medium of
information for its military and civilian personnel and the general public. This collective effort is DWDDs
3/20/15 4:26 PM
humble contribution to the AFPs

thrust of winning the peace, said
MAJ MICHAEL T AQUINO (INF)
PA, DWDD radio station manager.
Promoting patriotism, values formation, peace and commitment to the service of the nation,
DWDD 1134 kHz Katropa Radio
aims to be a modern and innovative station that will serve as the best
source of relevant information and
wholesome entertainment, MAJ
AQUINO said.
DWDD 1134 kHz KATROPA RADIO parades itself as the first
and only radio station in the country
with a mobile-ready live-streaming
website design at http://dwdd.com.
ph optimized on mobile devices, giving it an advantage in extending its
national and global reach.
The radio stations Katropa
tag signifies an informed and empowered Filipino citizen who shares
ideals toward building a prosperous nation and promote peace and
unity among diverse Filipino cul- romance between the information

tures. Anchored on these principles, services of AM radio and a dose of
DWDD 1134 kHz Katropa Radio airs entertainment provided by FM radio.
programs seven days a week, from
DWDD 1134 kHz Katropa
4:30AM to 12:00 midnight.
Radio further aims to be the leading
With a dynamic management source of military and defense news,
team that has an ear for development as it utilizes its national network of
and opportunities in radio broadcast civil relations and public information
industry, DWDD 1134 kHz Katro- officers from the DND and AFP, as
pa Radio is an innovative organiza- well as disaster response updates via
tion that positions itself as an excit- the NDRRMC, MAJ AQUINO said.
ing package of News and Music, a
Vol. 4 No. 1
35
3/20/15 4:26 PM
aunching of AFP Promotional Video

Hanggang Mamatay
anggang Mamatay is a five

minute historical MTV showing
how the Philippine revolutionaries against foreign invaders
evolved and separated by two paths of revolution (democratic and communist revolution) that deeply affect the present state
of the nation. It talks about the revolution,
the Filipino aspiration for a changed and
better society and nation, the effects of the
revolution to the Philippine society and
the future of the nation or the nations way
ahead as it ventures to a dynamically changing geopolitical condition brought about by
international disputes. It gives a proposition
of reconciliation and unity towards achieving a common aspiration driven by love of
country.
The MTV shows a soldier chronicling the events of history as he lullabies his
child in a cradle. It is an expression of a soldiers love to the country, a testament that
the AFP always aspires for the nation to be
peaceful and sober under his caring watch.
The first part of the video clips
chronicles how the Filipino revolutionaries,
the brotherhood of Katipunan at mga
anak ng Bayan fought out and
struggled for the countrys freedom under a cause that is written
in blood. As history unfolds, the
revolutionaries struggled with
their life, belief and aspiration
for a better nation until they
were separated by the two
paths of revolution. The nation suffered, and the clashing paths of revolution are
36
the culprit. As the nation tries to survive, the

Filipino people and the entire nation offered
sincerity (a white rose offered by a nun to a
Marine soldier above a military tank) to the
revolutionaries trudging the path of democratic revolution, the AFP. This event made
a dramatic change in the course of history
as the AFP wholeheartedly accepted it, and
out of the given sincerity from the people,
the AFP gave back love (a red rose offered by
an AFP doctor to an old woman in a wheel
chair). This love is further manifested by the
soldiers Bayanihan efforts with the communities for peace, progress, and prosperity. The soldiers love and service under the
spirit of Bayanihan is witnessed by the whole
nation. This inspired a large quarter of the
communist revolutionaries to surrender and
reconcile with the government under a common agenda, Love of Country.
The song Hanggang Mamatay is an
original composition of Mr. Noel Cabangon.
The CRSAFP under BGEN Romeo Gan AFP
was commissioned by the AFP to produce
the MTV. Cpt Frank Sayson directed the
production of the video.
3/20/15 4:26 PM
Vol. 4 No. 1
37
3/20/15 4:26 PM
News Snippets
Phl Marines acquire close combat optics
JANUARY 5, 2015 BY ALVIN SANTIAGO
The Philippine Navy (PN) announced that it has

acquired 5,000 units of close combat optics, a battery
red dot type aiming device, which will further enhance
the targeting and aiming capabilities of its brand-new
M-4 assault rifles.
PN Vice Commander Rear Admiral Caesar Taccad said the 5,000 M-4 units, distributed to the Navy
and Marine outfits last November, will significantly contribute to the development and transformation of the
Marines into a multi-mission-oriented force, capable of
effectively addressing both internal and external threats.
PN PAO / AES
NPA Leader in ComVal with P2.5M Bounty Falls

Davao (DWDD) A top-ranking leader of the

New Peoples Army (NPA) operating in southeastern
Mindanao was arrested Sunday at a joint military and
police checkpoint at Barangay Magnaga, Pantukan,
Compostela Valley.
Criminal Investigation and Detection Group
(CIDG) Davao Region Deputy Director Edilberto DC
Leonardo identified the rebel leader as Jordan Reyes
Donillo, 42, of Sitio Pagsilan in Barangay Cabuyoan in
the nearby Mabini town.
Donillo was tagged as number 2 in the most
wanted list of the Directorate for Integrated Police Operations in Eastern Mindanao (DIPO-EM). He is also
listed as most wanted by the Department of National
Defense-Department of the Interior and Local Government (DND-DILG), Leonardo said. Philippine Armys
10th Infantry Division Public Affairs Chief Vergel Lacambra said Donillo functions as the commander of the
NPAs Guerilla Front 18, with P2.5 million cash reward
for his arrest.
(DND) is allocating P246,430,000 for the acquisition of

three full motion flight simulators for the Philippine Air
Force, in line with its efforts to increase the proficiency
of its military pilots which includes integrated logistic
support for the equipment.
Natalio Ecarma III, DND bidding and awards
committee chair, said the full motion simulators will
allow pilots almost full sensory experience that can aid
in improving flight instruction, enhancing proficiency,
minimizing risks associated with emergency procedures
training, reducing accidents, filling up downtimes,
and saving on aircraft operational and maintenance
costs.DND PAO / AES
Camp Gen Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City

(DWDD) - The Department of National Defense
These results of the security operations in just

10 days are manifestations of the good support being
received by the troops from the community which also
manifest that they dont want the bandits to be in their
midst. Lt General Aurelio Baladad, Commander of
Eastern Mindanao Command said.
Baladad further said that the Command will
continue to facilitate peace and development in the
countryside and ensure the safety of the communities.
(EASTMINCOM/LMC)
Camarines Norte is now Conflict Manageable
Phl Army 3ID gets recognition for reform,

transformation thrust
JANUARY 23, 2015 BY LUNINGNING CLAUDIO
FEBRUARY 9, 2015 BY ALVIN SANTIAGO
CAMP GUILLERMO NAKAR, Lucena City,

(DWDD) The Armed Forces of the Philippines and
the Provincial Government of Camarines Norte declared the province as Conflict manageable and ready
for further development through the signing of a
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at the Agro
Sports Complex in Daet, Camarines Norte on January
21, 2015 during the Peoples Convergence towards
Peace and Development.
ROXAS CITY, Capiz (DWDD) The 3rd Infantry

Division-Philippine Army was conferred with a Compliant status in its thrust on Army Governance Pathway
(AGP).
According to Lieutenant Colonel Medel Aguilar,

Commanding Officer of the 49 Infantry Battalion in
Camarines Norte, the signing of the MOU signals the
shifting of effort from clearing of barangays from insurgent affectation supported by socio-economic development to a reverse role. The ceremony emphasized the
implementation of more socio-economic and development projects that the civil government will implement
with the support and protection of the military.
Govt Scores NPAs after SOMO

FEBRUARY 2, 2015 BY LUNINGNING CLAUDIO
DND to acquire 3 full motion flight simulators
These encounters led to the recovery of three high

powered firearms, discovery of 13 NPA encampments
and contributed to the surrender of nine NPAs who surrendered with them four fire arms.
NSFA, Panacan, Davao City, (DWDD) The

Eastern Mindanao Command recorded a total of 11
encounters against elements of NPA bandits in Eastern
Mindanao after the lifting of the Suspension of Military
Operations (SOMO) on January 19, 2015,
According to 3ID Public Affairs Office head Major

Ray Tiongson, in their drive towards genuine reform
and transformation, the said division and recognized by
Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff General
Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. with Philippine Army Commanding Lt General Hernando Iriberri.
Tiongson said that 3ID Commander Major General Rey Leonardo Guerrero personally received the
award during the Army Governance Forum recently
held in Metro Manila.
He said that the 3ID was one of the successful
army major units to achieve the Compliant Status or the
second stage in the four stages of the systematic governance approach on AGP, which include the initiated,
compliant, proficient and institutionalized stages.
Guerrero said that with team work, they would be
able to realize their vision to be a reliable, committed,
disciplined and capable unit that is a source of pride and
a partner in nation-building in the Visayas. 3DPAO /
AES
AFP lauds JTF-Sulu for successful operation against Abu Sayyaf

FEBRUARY 5, 2015 BY LUNINGNING CLAUDIO
CRSAFP Printing Unit

now accepts
printing jobs for tarpaulin, off set
printing of magazines, flyers,
posters, etc.
For more inquiries please e-mail
magcrsafp@gmail.com
or contact Frank at 9116001 loc 5656.
38
CAMP AGUINALDO, Quezon City, (DWDD)

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) commended the Joint Task ForceSulu led by Col. Alan Arrojado
for its outstanding accomplishments against Abu Sayyaf
bandits.
The operating troops of the 32nd Infantry Battalion led by Lt. Col. Gregorio Nieveras killed two (2) bandits and seized seven (7) high-powered firearms after a
30-minute clash that transpired at about 9am. General
Gregorio Pio P Catapang Jr., the AFP Chief of Staff, has
directed the troops to relentlessly pursue the bandits
deep inside their jungle lair in the hinterlands of Patikul,
Sulu. He has also cited the soldiers heroism in battling
the Abu Sayyaf bandits wherein four (4) soldiers were
slightly wounded during the firefight. (PAOAFP)
3/20/15 4:26 PM
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3/20/15 4:26 PM
Surrender
Site Marker
Bataan
Location: Balanga City, Bataan
Description:
It is located inside Balanga Elementary School Grounds in
Balanga City, this site was used as a command post by Lt.
Gen. Homma at the time of Bataans Surrender wherein
Major Gen. King and his party signed the documents for the
surrender of the USAFFE forces in the Phlippines under a
mango tree on April 9, 1942.
40
Photo by:
Pfc Joven D Lapidez PA
3/20/15 4:26 PM

Ang Tala Vol4 No1 Mar 2015

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Ang Tala Vol4 No1 Mar 2015

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VOL. 4, NO.

THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE CIVIL RELATIONS SERVICE, AFP

First Line of Defense Monument

The Journey to Gold: Army Institutionalizes

NOLCOM Starts the Year 2015

CENTCOM: JTF FRANCIS Secures

DWDD bags Best Radio Station

WESTMINCOM: 4th CRG Bigkis Lahi Program:

EASTMINCOM: Preserve the Culture, Empower

Ang Tala | March 2015

ur military leadership has vigorously outlined and emphasized the thrusts of

The Philippine Army is celebrating its 118th

The Armed Forces

Founded in the days of the Philippine

GREGORIO PIO P CATAPANG JR

Ang Tala | March 2015

From the men

Celebrating with the theme, WESCOM

GREGORIO PIO P CATAPANG JR

The Journey to Gold:

n a 30-minute presentation during

Ang Tala | March 2015

Sustaining the Momentum

The Public Governance

Since its implementation

Earning the Institutionalized

Ang Tala | March 2015

The Philippine Army formally received 23 units of M1152

A total of 30 Humvee ambulance with

The procurement of these new ambulance

he Army today is continuously

different local career courses conducted in

On recruitment, during the period

Another Moral and Welfare initiatives

Another milestone in the development

Ang Tala | March 2015

on discussion of change of ideas and

dred twenty thousands (22,620.00.00)

About the Author

On the other hand, there are

CMS WILFREDO B JAVILLONAR

CMS Wilfredo B Javillonar 672701(Inf)

he year 2014 generally provided

Admiral Alexander S. Lopez, as he prepared to lead this year's celebration of

Photo by: WESCOM

Ang Tala | March 2015

security environment is unlike any other. It contains internal security issues,

Forces in the Western Philippines with

Following the cancellation of the

Ang Tala | March 2015

the West Philippine Sea and the creation

In the fourth quarter, WESCOM

rio Pio P Catapang Jr, the AFP Chief of

de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal) with

erations in the Recto Bank area is very

MV Costa Victoria on January, not only

Ang Tala | March 2015

venting the resurgence of any insurgent

duction and management protocols and

Down south beyond the municipality

Securing RP-US Balikatan 2015

Managing Crisis and Disaster Impact

In the area of force level command

With the added reality of climate