Oct. 15 - 21, 2012 Issue

O Come, All Ye Faithful

Maayon church undergoes facelift, installs new priest

By Calin Bernales

Recently, the parishioners, benefactors and guests of Poblacion, Maayon, Capiz gathered to celebrate two momentous occasions in the history of their church.

On July 15, 2012, they witnessed the solemn installation of Very Rev. Fr. Conrado B. Palete, Jr. as the new priest of the Holy Child Parish Church. In the same day, they witnessed the groundbreaking rites for the renovation of their church.

The Most Rev. Jose F. Advincula, D.D., archbishop of Capiz, presided the solemn installation of Fr. Palete.

Said occasions rekindled in the Maayonanons and their benefactors their passion and commitment to help renovate their church.

Spouses Ricardo Almeida and Milagros Dullano-Almeida and their family led the donation of a 6,866-sq.m. area for the church lot. As a token of gratitude and appreciation, the Archdiocese of Capiz and the people of Maayon awarded a Plaque of Appreciation to the Almeida family.

With the church renovations begun September 17, the Maayonanons here and abroad have likewise launched pooling their efforts together for a vigorous fund raising campaign.

Local officials led by Mayor Wilfredo Borres and other civic groups and organizations expressed support. Fundraising campaigns are led by Sandra Sorongon, head of the Maayon Parish Renovation Movement.

Army trained on engagement and planning

CAMP GEN MACARIO PERALTA JR., Jamindan, Capiz— Having implemented several Internal Peace and Security plans in actual situation, major unit commanders and staff officers are still taking time here to train for mission planning and Stakeholder Engagement which started recently.

Brigade, battalion commanders and their staff officers are now on a five-day training on Military Decision Making Process (MDMP) and Stakeholder Engagement for the nation's Internal Peace and Security (IPSP) "Bayanihan".

A Technical Working Group (TWG) and resource persons from the headquarters of the Philippine Army in Fort Andres Bonifacio, Metro Manila arrived at the headquarters of the 3rd Infantry (Spearhead) Division (3ID) to oversee the two essential training.

"The mere presence of commanders and triad staff is an indication that we are all accelerating gains the implementation of "Bayanihan". Lets take advantage of the time that we are here to tackle adjustments needed to be made in our current campaign plan for peace on this part of the country", said Mabanta, 3ID commander, during the opening ceremony.

"Our success depends so much on you", Mabanta addressing the commanders present. "We know that pure military solution remains inadequate to address the security concerns of the country, thus gathering more stakeholders is imperative as we 'win the peace'", added Mabanta.

Mabanta further encouraged the participants to internalize lessons to be learned from the training to further impart to stakeholders the government's recent signing of a framework agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) as an inspiration for further talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines.

The 45 participants of activity came from 301st Brigade, 302nd Brigade, 303rd Brigade, and the 11th, 12th, 47th, 61st, 62nd, 79th, 82nd, 3rd Military Intelligence and 3rd Civil-Military Operations Battalions.

Security concerns that are being addressed by the Armed Forces of the Philippines are multi-faceted, with the armed capability being only one of their characteristics. Thru the IPSP "Bayanihan", crafted with the stakeholders of the country, there will be a complementary and concerted effort to address the structural issues that fuel insurgencies.

MDMP, a process which aims to develop an estimate of the situation and plan in every military operation, helps the commander and his staffs examine a situation and reach logical decisions and produces integration, coordination, & synchronization for an operation that minimizes risk of overlooking critical aspects of the operation and results in a detailed operation plan. It analyzes and compares multiple courses of action (COA) in an attempt to identify the best possible COA.

Poll gun ban starts Jan. 13

By Alex A. Lumaque

ROXAS CITY— Police Regional Office (PRO) – 6 director Chief Supt. Agrimero Cruz, Jr. said that the gun ban in view of the May 2013 elections will start on Jan. 13.

This was conveyed by the region’s top cop during a recent press conference with local tri-media practitioners in time with the welcome ceremony on the deployment of the Philippine National Police’s Special Action Force at Brgy. Manhoy in Dao town.

“The poll gun ban will be until June 12,” he stressed based on a Commission on Elections (COMELEC) resolution.

Bearing, carrying or transporting firearms or other deadly weapons, unless authorized in writing by COMELEC will be prohibited to ensure a peaceful and orderly elections next year. Only uniformed members of the police, the military and other law enforcement agencies including the Presidential Security Group who are performing actual duties are authorized to bear their weapons during the gun ban period.

Cruz added that use of security personnel or bodyguards by candidates, unless authorized in writing by the Commission and organization or maintenance of reaction forces, strike forces or other similar forces are prohibited.

The PNP official also noted that a PRO – 6 directive to remind all police stations in the region will be issued in view of the gun bun period.  (JCM/AAL/PIA 6 Capiz)