‘Valor’ battalion intensifies martial law ops in Surigao del Sur

CAMP BANCASI, Butuan City – Troops of the Army’s 36th Infantry “Valor” Battalion (36th IB) is intensifying the enforcement of martial law in Surigao del Sur with the continued threat coming from the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA), according to 36th IB Civil Military Operation Officer Capt. Francisco P. Garello, Jr.

Garello said relentless military and security operations such as intensified military-police checkpoints, and route and areas security have been undertaken to deter the travel of terrorists and lawless elements.

A massive security awareness campaign has also been undertaken to inform the public on the true nature of the CPP-NPA and its deceptive recruitment strategy.

“Recent encounters in some parts of the province of Surigao del Sur, are results of the continuous campaign to address the armed component of the communist terrorist group while AFP-PNP checkpoints have intensified due to continuing threats of the CNTs in the province,” the CMO officer of the 36th IB said, in a statement sent to The Manila Bulletin on Wednesday.

Garello added that commuters and private vehicles will be randomly checked.

It can be recalled that, around 11:30 a.m. on February 21, troops of the 36th IB intercepted foreigners at the checkpoint in Dreamland Patrol Base, Sitio Dreamland, Barangay Alba, Tago, Surigao del Sur.

As a routine process, the foreigners were subjected to questioning and were asked for proper identification as they have violated Municipal Ordinance and Tribal Laws.

Hence, the group was invited at Tago Municipal Police Station for documentation and identification. They were later released upon documentation as witnessed by their legal counsel Antonio Azarcon.

“We call for all commuters to cooperate and voluntarily subject themselves in the routine process of the AFP-PNP checkpoints,” also said Lt. Col. Xerxes A. Trinidad, commanding officer of the 36th IB, in a statement sent to The Manila Bulletin.