Army delivers relief goods to 250 families in far-flung barangay in Zamboanga Del Sur

The Philippine Army’s 53rd Infantry (MATAPAT) Battalion (53IB) led by its Commanding Officer Lt. Col. Jo-ar Herrera distributed relief goods to 250 families in Barangay Duelic, a far-flung barangay in the Municipality of Midsalip, Zamboanga Del Sur on June 8, 2020.

The 53IB was joined by the party of Rep. Divina Grace C. Yu, the 1st District Representative of this province.

Rep. Yu thanked the Army for lending a hand in the distribution of the relief goods.

“I thank the 53IB for helping us in the distribution of these relief goods, and in their untiring effort and selfless dedication to duty to help the communities even in far-flung areas,” Rep. Yu said.

Lt. Col. Herrera also expressed gratitude to the office of Rep. Yu in its initiative to help the community.

“I thank the office of the good Congresswoman for helping this community, and hopefully more government programs, services, and initiatives will soon enter this far-flung barangay,” Lt. Col. Herrera said.

Lt. Col. Herrera and Rep. Yu encouraged the residents of Barangay Duelic to support the programs of the President and called to stop supporting the activities of the New People Army (NPA) terrorists.

On May 18, 2020, a firefight between the 53IB and NPA transpired in the vicinity of Barangay Duelic.

Also present in the distribution of relief goods were the 547th Engineer (AGILA) Battalion, the Army Engineer unit which builds roads in partnership with 53IB and different LGUs as part of Ending Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC) programs.