PREVENTING NPA MASS BASE SUPPORT: 53IB Sustains Community Engagement in Guipos, ZDS

The Philippine Army’s 53rd Infantry “Matapat” Battalion (53IB) has been maintaining community engagements in the Sitios of Barangay Datagan, Guipos, Zamboanga del Sur.

Community engagements are part of 53IB’s Civil-Military Operations programs to engage the vulnerable sectors in the far flung areas. “The 53IB maintains community engagement to prevent the recovery of mass base support of the CPP-NPA-NDF in the province and to constantly engage the vulnerable sectors in our society,” 53IB Commanding Officer Lt. Col. Herrera said.

53IB Charlie Executive Officer 1Lt. Magno Relado Jr. is leading the Matapat Troopers team in the following community engagement activities: house to house visitation and distribution of leaflets, distribution of radio transistors, discussions about ELCAC and E-Clip, government projects, issues and concerns, and countering communist terrorist groups’ propaganda and recruitment.

The community engagements also include collaborations with Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) organizations for holding activities like sportsfest and dance competitions for the youth. In Barangay Datagan, SK Chairman Jumar Matanog has been closely working with the Matapat Troopers to plan for activities intended for the community.

“These activities will help develop the youth’s unity, teamwork and camaraderie to build and regain their trust and confidence with each other and prevent the infiltration of NPA’s wrong ideologies and recruitment,” 1Lt. Relado said.