A. Task Force Tiwasay
This unit of the Philippine Army (PA), 901 Brigade, conducted intensified information activities supportive of its Internal Security Operations (ISO) in the
region. It started its campaign in the schools particularly in colleges and universities in Legazpi City, Masbate and
Catanduanes. The objective was to counter the recruitment of youths as legal front of the communist terrorist movement.
Intensified information awareness was conducted through the conduct of symposia in various high schools, colleges and
universities.
TF Tiwasay extended its campaigns to the officials and employees of the local government units (LGUs)as well as to the local government agencies (LGAs). It
organized symposia to answer critical security issues such as the deceitful scheme of leftist organizations of recruiting alliances with labor, peasant and farmer sectors
and of how these groups sabotage the basic services of the government in rural and urban areas.
TF Tiwasay also targeted the national government agencies (NGAs) in the region. This was consistent with its
advocacy for a holistic approach towards solving the insurgency problem as the AFP and PNP view their roles as mere extensions of the political leadership.
TF Tiwasay incorporated the Army Community Radio Stations (ACRAS) among its workforce in information dissemination. Located inside the SOLCOM Building at Camp
Ola, Legazpi City, the ACRAS helped enhance information operation capabilities of the military to the far-flung communities.
TF Tiwasay has gained popularity and has established linkages with various sectors in the four provinces of Albay, Sorsogon, Masbate and Catanduanes.
B. Information Support to ISO
While TF Tiwasay focused on the aforementioned provinces, 42nd Infantry Battalion (42IB), 9th Infantry
Division (9ID) of the Philippine Army (PA) geared up its information campaigns supportive to the internal security operations in Camarines Sur. Some 525 high school students
and faculty members of the Partido Agri-Industrial High School at Barangay Mabalodbalod, Tigaon, Camarines Sur were beneficiaries of a one-day lecture cum film showing
activity.
The topics were on the role of youth in nation building, various government programs and projects, threat
awareness, Dangerous Drugs Act and RA 7610. The latter emphasized on the rights of children below 18 years of age and on the liability of terrorists conscripting children
into war, child abuse, child labor and other youth-related issues and concerns. The topics were supplemented by the
showing of documentary films entitled “Communist Terrorists (CTs) Art of Deception,” “Ang Pagmamalupit ng mga NPA sa
Kabataan,” “Huwad na Pangarap” and Welga.” An open forum followed the film showing. A feature of the activity was
the testimony of a former rebel, Ka Edwin, who used to operate in Camarines Sur area. He exposed and denounced the underground movement for its acts of terrorism, forced
taxation and repression.
C. Information Operations with MEDCAP
The 42nd Infantry Battalion (IB) in coordination with the LGUs, MHO, PHO, PCSO - Cam. Sur and with support
from the 9th Medical Company and 902nd Infantry Brigade Dental Personnel joined hands in the conduct of Information
Operation cum Medical/Dental Civic Action Program (MEDCAP).
The team reached out to some 483 beneficiaries in barangays Cabanbanan, Cabungan, Camangahan, Cayogcog,
Coguit, Duran, Laganac, Luluasan, Montenegro, Pararao, San Francisco, Siramag, Tapayas, Tomatarayo in the municipality
of Balatan; barangays Pagatpatan,and Payak, both in Bato; San Miguel, Sta. Elena, & Baras in Nabua; and La Purisima,
San Francisco, San Jose, & San Nicolas in Iriga City. The information component gave lectures on the evils of communism and distributed information materials exposing the
communist terrorists’ deceptions, atrocities and abuses. They also disseminated information on the various programs and projects of the government.
This information and medical/dental operations mix proved an effective means for bringing the people closer
to the government, particularly to the military, mainly because it directly addressed the people’s clamor for medical services which is a basic social need.
D. Army Joins Bloodletting, Cleaning Activities
The 902nd Infantry Brigade (IB) participated in a bloodletting activity in coordination with the newly elected municipal officials of Daet, Camarines Norte, the Daet On-the-Go Movement and the Philippine National Red
Cross at the City Plaza Mall. Forty-six army personnel donated a total of 20,750 cc of blood.
The 902nd IB responded further to the call for assistance in cleaning the market site in Daet, Camarines
Norte. Plagued by unpleasant sight and smell from volumes of uncollected garbage for the past few weeks, Daet folks were
relieved by the personnel assistance and provision of two M35 trucks from the PA.
E. Disaster Operations Assistance
After heavy rains loosened huge deposits of ash and other volcanic debris from the upper slopes of Mt. Bulusan, an avalanche of volcanic materials (lahar) flooded
Barangays Cogon, Mapaso and Monbon, all in Irosin, Sorsogon. A total of 276 families comprised of 1,600 persons were
affected and took refuge in their respective barangay halls which served as their temporary evacuation centers.
The 565th Engineer Construction Battalion (565ECB), 51st Engineer Brigade (51EB) based at Camp Martillana, Pili, Camarines Sur promptly conducted clearing
operations in the area. A dozer TD20G was also dispatched to fast track the clearing of the heavily silted Mombon creek.
The local Army Command of the 51EB further sent another backhoe excavator all the way from the Headquarters of the 51EB in Libis, Quezon City to provide the three mission
essential equipment needed to preempt destructions that could be brought by the natural calamity.
Similarly, continuous heavy rains induced by a low-pressure area triggered landslides from the upper slopes
of Mt. Iriga. Drainage canals were clogged with mud debris that caused the main thoroughfares of the city to be
submerged in chest high waters and traffic to be paralyzed. Upon request by the local chief executive of Iriga, the
565ECB provided a grader which was utilized in the clearing operations. The flow of traffic along this vital portion of
the Maharlika highway was immediately normalized.
F. Organization of Barangay Defense System
Ten barangays in Castilla, Sorsogon were hosts to organize Barangay Defense Systems (BDS) spearheaded by
the 9th Infantry (Sandigan) Battalion stationed in said municipality. The barangays included Bagong Sirang, Mayon, Caburacan, Libtong, Canjela, Sogoy, Salvacion, Macalaya, San
Roque and Bagalayag. Each BDS conducted its own oath-taking ceremony for the officers and members simultaneous with a
public information activity in coordination with the Task Force Tiwasay Speakers Bureau. Each activity involved lectures on topics such as the importance of the Barangay
Defense System as embodied in Executive Order No. 21 creating the National Internal Security Plan, communist infiltration, threats to national security, history of
communism and ills of communism and their effects. Printed information materials in the form of leaflets and posters
were also distributed. The 9th IB personnel staged a live drama presentation depicting how the communist terrorists
were eroding the strong family ties among Filipinos also. The 9th IB combo likewise provided entertainment. Some 10,000 barangay officials, BDS officers and members and
barangay populace of the respective barangays attended the activities.
G. Rally for Peace
About 1,000 participants composed of Barangay officials and tanods of different barangays converged in front of the Sorsgon PNP Station at Barangay Balogo and
marched through the streets toward the Rizal Park in Sorsogon City in a rally against the communist terrorists. The rally was held amid intensified public indignation over
soldiers/policemen killed in their fight against the communist terrorist movement as well as to condemn their criminal activities such as extortion, killing of innocent
civilians and suspected military agents, sabotaging of government facilities and other acts inimical to economic growth and political stability of the country. The program
was attended by Sorsogon Provincial PNP officials, speakers from the Philippine Army, guests from the local media and by
a rebel returnee who exposed the atrocities, extortion and intimidations of the terrorist group.
H. Army Advocates for “Berdeng Pilipinas”
The 31st Infantry (Charge) Battalion of the 9th ID of the PA conducted simultaneous tree planting covering
four municipalities of Camarines Sur and the whole province of Camarines Norte. Also known as the Ecological Battalion,
the officers and men of the 31st IB joined more than 2,000 participants from various other sectoral organizations.
