Army brings gov’t services to far-flung Negros village
The death of a News People’s Army leader in southern Negros has brought freedom to a village known as a stronghold of the NPA, according to the Philippine Army.
The group of late Armando Sumayang based in the far-flung Brgy. Camindangan in Sipalay City has been tagged responsible for the raid and disarming of guards of a mining company, the bombing of Globe Telecom cellsite, and the series of liquidations in Sipalay City, military and police records show.
First Lt. Mark Andrew Posadas, spokesman of the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division, said without Sumayang, government forces can now readily extend services to residents of Brgy. Camindangan.
Last week, 303rd Infantry (Brown Eagle) Brigade’s Task Group Southwest conducted a school feeding outreach program that benefited almost 600 pupils of Camindangan Elementary School.
The feeding program was themed “Peace and Prosperity, our shared Responsibility.”
The Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals Bacolod-South Chapter also donated slippers to the children.
“Winning their hearts through their feet,” said Task Group Southwest commander, Lt. Col. Rodrigo Sosmeña, who conceptualized and initiated the activity for the community.
Sosmeña exhorted the parents, teachers, and the community “to stand up, be counted, and support the government in its efforts to bring peace and prosperity in remote barangays such as Camindangan for the brighter future of the present generation.”
He also encouraged the children to do well in their studies to liberate their barangay from poverty and illiteracy that communist rebels exploit to gain access and control their day-to-day affairs.
“The future of Camindangan greatly depends on the perspectives we shape in our children’s minds today,” Sosmeña added.*
