Ang Pahayagan

BALER –In order to strengthen the interoperability between the Reserve Force and Regular Force, the Philippine Army’s 91st Infantry “Sinagtala” Battalion conducted a 5-day training in counter-improvised explosive device (CIED) and ammunitions handling (AH) to Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) students, enlisted personnel, Citizen Armed Forces Geographical Unit Active Auxiliary (CAA) and reservist in this province at it’s headquarter in Barangay Calabuanan, in this capital town of Aurora.

Lt. Col. Julito B. Recto, Jr., commander of 91st IB said that the training is part of the 7th Infantry “Kaugnay” Division, Philippine Army “Kaugnay ang Laang Kawal” so that our regular force and the Reserve force have the same knowledge towards territorial defense.

“We want them to be ready on how would they react properly when they encounter an IED and handling an ammunition which makes them better able to protect themselves and accomplish their mission in a particular area or battle in the fields,” Recto said.

He added that the training will reduce the chances of injury, will give them a wider knowledge and the tools they need to make the scene safe once they think they have found an IED.

“The terrorist groups uses IEDs as one of their tactics and often hides them to look like ordinary items like cellphone, earphone, make-up kit, a cigarette pack, or book but really it is a lethal device and it could kill people. We trained them to be aware of it to save lives,” Recto said.

He furthered that the participants are now well equip with the fundamental knowledge concerning IEDs, its construction, enemy employment and the means to effectively protect personnel, equipment, and other assets from such device.

Staff Sergeant Christopher P. Cupag, Explosive Ordnance Device (EOD) Battalion served as one of the instructor for the training along with Staff Sergeant Enrile C. Sagudang and Sergeant Jho Jho M Salanio.

“I hope that the participants learned a lot. The recent training will keep our troops safe, will reduce the chances of injury and give them the tools they need to make the scene safe once they think they have found an IED,” Cupag said.

On the other hand, 2lt Antonio Rugayan, Operations Officer of the 307th of Aurora Ready Reserve Infantry Battalion (307th ARRIBn) expressed his sincerest thanks and gratitude to 91st IB for the continuous training to the Reservist which greatly give them the familiarity and skills on how to respond in case of IED and as part of the interoperability of Kaugnay ang Laang Kawal. (Jason de Asis)