By Glazyl Y. Masculino
BACOLOD City – The baptism of the children of two former members of the New People’s Army (NPA) highlighted the commemoration of the 47th founding anniversary of the Army’s 15th Infantry Battalion (IB) in Cauayan, Negros Occidental last Friday.
One of the baptized children was a 10-month-old baby, the second child of a former platoon leader of North Negros Front (NNF) and squad leader of the SYP/SDG Platoon, South West Front (SWF) operating in the area Barangay Sangke, Hinoba-an town.
Also baptized was the two-month-old baby, the first child of a former finance logistical officer of Squad 1, Platoon 1, SWF, according to the Army.
The parents of these two children voluntarily surrendered to the 15th IB early this year.
The parents, according to the Army, expressed their appreciation to all the 15th IB personnel for treating them as family and for being the godparents of their children.
Lieutenant Colonel Erwin Cariño, 15th IB commander, said sponsoring the baptism of the former rebels’ children is a privilege especially in the celebration of the battalion’s anniversary.
“Family is the bedrock of society, and the 15th IB is always ready to help them integrate into the community,” he added.
Our former rebels are already part of the (15th IB) Molave Warrior Family, and we are happy to see them transitioning to normal life, Cariño said.
Military troopers, together with other stakeholders, also planted 200 mahogany and 20 mango seedlings at the mountainous area of Barangay Tiling.
They also held a mass, as part of the unit’s commitment to the people in its area of responsibility, in celebration of the anniversary dubbed “47 years of Embracing Genuine Transformation Geared Towards Organizational and Operational Excellence.”
Cariño lauded the unit’s effort and commitment for the past 47 years.
