Indigenous People's Tribe trained, equipped

LUPON, Davao Oriental - A 5-day Law Enforcement, Territorial Defense and Disaster Response training and capacity building was held on October 3-4, 2020 for the Indigenous People (IP) communities in one of the Hinterland Barangay in the town of Lupon.

Thirty five (35) volunteers from Sitio Banhawan, Purok upper Polia, Purok lower Polia and Purok Seniorita while twenty eight (28) volunteers from Sitio Tiombocan, Purok Matigdao, Purok Bislong and Purok Cabugayan have actively participated during the conduct of the said training that was held at Sitio Banhawan and Sitio Tiombocan respectively. 

The activity was part of 'Oplan Marayag' under Governor Nelson Dayanghirang's Executive Order (EO) 13 and PRRD's EO 70 that aims to empower and equip communities with knowledge and skills necessary for their security and survival in any form of disasters especially those in Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDA). 

Col Krishnamurti Mortela, the newly installed Brigade Commander, Ltc Alexander D Banatao, Commanding Officer of the 28th Infantry Battalion together with Representatives from the Provincial and Municipal Local Government Units and some Government Agency heads graced the closing ceromony and congratulated all volunteers as they completed the 5-day training.

The Barangay Local Government Unit of Marayag headed by no less than Punong Barangay Helen Manggob and the Municipal Indigenous People's Mandatory Representative (IMPR), Hon Gregorio Manggob, and Barangay IPMR, Hon Joselito Lemindog, expressed their heartfelt gratitude to the people behind the success of the activity.

1. Hon Nelson L Dayanghirang - Provincial Governor of Davao Oriental
2. Hon Niño Sotero Uy - Vice Governor of Davao Oriental
3. Mayor Erlinda D Lim - Municipal Mayor of Lupon
4. Mr Ednar Dayanghirang - Chief of Staff to the Governor and Vice Chair PTF-ELCAC
5. Col Krishnamurti Mortela - 701st Brigade Commander
6. PCol Joselito Loriza - Provincial Director of the Davao Oriental Provincial Police Office
7. Ltc Alexander D Banatao - Commander of 28IB
8. Hon Edna Bote - Municipal Councilor of Lupon
9. Mr Art Benjie Bulaong - Provincial Administrator
10. Engr Jesusa Timbang - Provincial Head of PDRRMO
11. Mr Rotchie Ravelo - Provincial Head of PAGRO
12. CInsp Joycelyn Grant - Acting Provincial Fire Marshall
13. Former Board member Daud Linsag 

The genuine intention for peace and collaborative efforts of all stakeholders especially the local communities will greatly contribute in the Task Force's purpose in Ending Local Communist Armed Conflict in the Province of Davao Oriental.


Source: Civil-Military Operations Office, 28th Infantry Battalion, Joint Task Force Agila, PA