Gov’t troops reach out to NPA-infested area

From the Philippine Information Agency (Mar 6): Gov’t troops reach out to NPA-infested area

STO. NINO, Cagayan - - Despite series of encounters with the communist New People’s Army (NPA) here, members of the 17th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army based in Alcala town recently brought medical and dental services to the conflict-affected barangays here.

Lieutenant Colonel Rembert R. Baylosis, commanding officer of the 17th IB, said the medical and civic action mission aimed at bringing the government services nearer to the people especially those who have been affected and displaced by the armed conflict.

Baylosis said aside from free medicines and check-ups, residents also availed of the soldiers’ free hair cutting and male circumcision services.

“We are not program implementers, however, we can be instrumental in bringing in government services to the remotest barangays,” the commanding officer said, adding that they, too, can refer to the concerned agencies the needed services and interventions of the people in threatened areas.

He assured the public that they can always count on government troops not only in keeping their places safe and secured but also towards the attainment of continuous local development.

Baylosis said the same activities will be conducted in other places here in the coming months.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/461488173846/gov-t-troops-reach-out-to-npa-infested-area