200 get training on BPAT

MORE THAN 200 participants finished the barangay peace action team enhancement training (BPAT) in the clustered villages of Quezon, Bukidnon, which ended on Aug. 16.

Capt. Norven Jay Garcia, the Civil-Military Operations officer of the 88th Infantry Battalion, said the clustered barangays include barangays Cawayan, Sta. Felomina, Linabo, Merangeran, Magsaysay, Lumintao, Lipa, Salawagan, Minongan, and Butong.

The 2-day BPAT training started on Aug. 10 and ran until Aug. 16. It was held at the Quezon firing rang in Barangay Libertad. A total of 213 people from 10 barangays attended the BPAT.

They learned about the Comprehensive Dangerous Drug Act; five pillars of criminal justice system; fundamentals of self defense; basic life support/ first aid; safety gun handling; the barrio module of the CPP-NPA (or the step-by-step infiltration of

a barangay by the NPA); and info collection and reporting to the authorities.

Lt. Col. Franklin F. Fabic, commanding officer of the 88th Infantry Battalion, said the “BPAT is one of the components of integrated territorial defense system so that even without the community support teams, they will be the one to maintain peace and security in the barangay.”

The said activity empowered the BPAT members, boosted their morale and equipped them with knowledge that will make them more effective and responsible in performing their duties.