SOLDIERS from the 4th Infantry Division’s Civil Military Operation (CMO), based in Camp Edilberto Evangelista, Barangay Patag in Cagayan de Oro City, in cooperation with Talisayan police personnel, held an anti-insurgency campaign in Barangay Macopa, a hinterland barangay of Talisayan last Friday.

Some 300 grade school pupils from two schools in Macopa and its neighboring barangay, Kasibole benefited from the campaign.

During the activity, personnel of the Talisayan Police Station led by P/EMS (Executive Master Seargent) Richie U. Mangmang, Deputy Chief of Police also distributed pairs of slippers and assorted school supplies.

The bonding with children is part of the anti-insurgency campaign in which the target beneficiaries were the grade school pupils from two barangays in this town said Mayor Rico T. Taray.

FREE SLIPPERS. A police officer from Talisayan Police Station puts on slippers to a grade school pupil during the distribution of pairs of slippers as part of the activity in the anti-insurgency campaign conducted by the Civil-Military Operation of the Army’s 4th Infantry Division held in Macopa Basketball Court in Barangay Macopa, Talisayan, Misamis Oriental. Photo by Edwin Iyo

Lt. Colonel Jenny de Mesa, CMO commanding officer, said the event was held as an awareness program of the Armed Forces of the Philippines to the grade school pupils to prevent them from possible recruitment into the communist insurgency in the future.

The activity was also coordinated with the Department of Education-Talisayan and the Responsabling Tabang sa Talisaynon, said Municipal Councilor Gremer O. Ramoga, Committee on Peace and Order chairperson.

Parents, teachers, and some barangay officials from the two barangays also attended the anti-insurgency campaign for the grade school pupils.

During the activities, Mayor Taray expressed gratitude to the soldiers and police in a short message.

DepEd Talisayan District Supervisor Merylen Trapal said she was happy about the anti-insurgency campaign.