By Edwin Fernandez/PNA
CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao — Government forces are not only for armed conflicts, but they primarily help the government save lives by participating in medical missions for indigent residents, an Army official here said Thursday.
Major Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, commander of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division based in Maguindanao, said that with major armed conflicts declining due to the improved peace and order situation, soldiers under the division have joined medical and dental outreach programs of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
“Army doctors and nurses joined the ARMM People’s Day activities for the past three days that ended Wednesday in Maguindanao,” he said.
The soldiers, equipped with medical equipment and led by 40th Infantry Battalion commander, Lt. Col. Edgar Catu, spearheaded the medical mission in partnership with ARMM-Humanitarian Emergency Action Response Team (HEART).
They served more than 500 indigent residents of Raja Buayan and its near environs in Maguindanao in the health services conducted at the municipal gymnasium on November 26-28.
Myrna Jo Henry, ARMM HEART spokesperson, said the outreach program served 250 residents who availed of medical check-ups, 150 tooth extractions, 50 circumcisions, and 50 free haircuts.
Major Arvin John Encinas, speaking for the 6ID, said the Army’s participation in the outreach activity seeks to strengthen its alliance among the different stakeholders of the government and the communities.
Sobejana said it also aims to strengthen stakeholder’s relationship where trust and confidence are built among the populace and the military as partners for peace and development.
