63IB celebrates the 112th Philippine Independence Day differently

Camp Lukban, Catbalogan City – While the whole Philippines was commemorating the Philippine Independence, the Army’s 63rd Infantry Battalion celebrated June 12 by staging a seemingly different but considered very worthy activities.

Report reaching to this office from First Lieutenant Josephus Emar Rempillo, CMO officer of 63IB disclosed that in the morning of said date, some fifty seven (57) clienteles of Army Literacy Patrol System (ALPS) cum livelihood of BINHI Foundation in Las Navas town received certificates after satisfactorily completed the designed training conducted by the said battalion.

Clienteles were all parents of BINHI Children’s Assistance Center of World of Hope Foundation, a non-government non-profit organization that aims to help the oppressed.

On the other hand, gifts were given by 63IB to the ALPS clienteles’ children during the battalion’s gift giving activity.

Accordingly, they have chosen the children of their clienteles as the recipients of their gift-giving activity in order to lessen their parent’s expenses for the coming opening of the class.

“The soldiers will continue to carry out these programs (ALPS and Gift-giving) within my area of jurisdiction in order to assist our people to nurture and develop their skills as well as increase their income to support their daily needs”, vows Lieutenant Colonel Joel M Paloma, the commanding officer of the 63IB.

Meanwhile, Major General Arthur I Tabaquero, head of the Army’s 8th Infantry Division conveyed his heartfelt gratitude with these contributions.

“While we commemorate our independence that our forefathers died for about more than a century ago, let’s continue to pay attention to our people who needs our quite concern”, General Tabaquero said.

“The 8th Infantry Division up to its lowest units had been joining in different Brigada Eskwela and other similar activities just to show concern to our people, even with these simple things”, he added.

In conclusion, General Tabaquero said that working as a “Team” will make individuals to achieve more. ### AFR/JGM

8ID actively supports Brigada Eskwela 2010

Camp Lukban, Catbalogan City, Samar – The Army’s 8th Infantry Division actively supported the Department of Education’s (DepEd) Brigada Eskwela 2010 last June 10-11, 6 A.M in the different areas of Catbalogan City.

8ID was just one of the numerous government and non-government agencies who regularly join the said endeavor in welcoming the opening of the school year.

This activity further aims to show up with the public the coordinated efforts and partnership of all stakeholders and giving value to education even with this little things.

Local government units, local businesses, civic groups, NGO’s, private individuals, religious sectors, students, teachers and parents also worked hand-in-hand in preparing school’s classrooms for the comfort of the incoming students.

Minor repairs, repainting and cleaning the areas were just few among the activites of Brigada Eskwela wherein some public elementary schools such as Catbalogan National Comprehensive High School, Brgy Mercedes, Guinsirongan, Catbalogan V Central and Catbalogan IV Central elementary schools were benefited.

Meanwhile, other units under 8ID were already conducting and participating in similar activities in their areas of operations.

The 14th Infantry Battalion joined the Brigada Eskwela last week the at Dolores National High School, Dao Integrated School, Maslog Primary School, Parina Elem. School, Brgy. Parina Giporlos, San Miguel Elem. School, San Miguel Hernani E .Samar.

The 52nd Infantry Battalion (CAFGU) also extended similar support at Bitaog Elem School, Brgy Agsam Oras E. Samar and Samar State University of Catbalogan City.

The 78th Infantry Battalion was also very much active in their area of operation wherein they launched their Brigada Eskwela support immediately after the national and local automated election.

In his statement, Major General Arthur Tabaquero, 8ID’s chief said that the overall activity was very successful thus he extends his heartfelt thanks for the support shared and extended by other participating agencies, organizations and individuals.

“This activity demonstrates no small amount to the eyes of our people, particularly to our students who will bridge change and success in the future. This will remarkably leave a very sentimental value that will continue to inspire them until they mature.”

He further said that 8ID will continue to support any worthy programs of any agency in aid of promoting the value and effect of oneness and togetherness in security and nation-building. (Lady Faye)

8ID awards a total of P110 thousand to former rebels

Camp Lukban, Catbalogan City, Samar – Through the Army’s 8th Infantry Division, three (3) former members of the terrorist New People’s Army (NPA) were became the newest beneficiaries of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process’s (OPAPP) Social Integration Program (SIP) in Eastern Visayas.

No less than the 8ID’s head, Major General Arthur Tabaquero handed over the facsimile checks to the beneficiaries during the command’s flag raising ceremony, 8:00 A.M., Monday, 31 May.



Angelito Remojo alias Gino/Dokdok in the underground movement and a former member of Pingkoy Platoon and Gerald Perez known as alias Kino when he was in Mt. Amendawin Command, received fifty thousand pesos (P50, 000.00) each for surrendering an M16A1 rifle with magazines and live munitions and for negotiating to the surrender of Reynaldo Batan alias Jerry of Front Operation Command (FOC) of Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee (EVRPC), respectively.

A ten thousand peso (10, 000.00) check was also given to Francisco Terano of Consuegra, Leyte, Leyte for yielding his US rifle M2 carbine.

Meanwhile, Virginia Lasaca who supposed to receive one thousand pesos (1, 000.00) was not able to appear since she is already based in Manila.

It can be recalled that sometime in March this year, Mr. Filomeno Somera Jr., OPAPP Region 8 coordinator also awarded twenty thousand pesos (P20, 000.00) each to almost 20 former rebels who came from Northern and Eastern Samar, as initial financial assistance while their papers are still being validated for some further reward.

In his message, Major General Tabaquero said that the money received by the former rebels is more than a thing that can be used to buy their needs. It is accordingly a symbol of their new life and total aback against the sour experiences that brought to them by the long deprived democratic system.

He also conveyed his heartfelt gratitude to the former rebels for adhering to the call of peace.

In his concluding remarks, General Tabaquero once again called upon the brothers and sisters whom he considered as victims of deceptive mode of the communist terrorists to make the event as an inspiration to lay down their arms, and return to the main stream society for a genuine peace and democracy.