MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon, Sep 24 - Forty-one personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP) from different parts of Region 10 participated in the joint training on Community Action Team (ComACT) of the PNP and Community Support Program (CSP) of the AFP last September 10-11 at Veranda, Casisang, Malaybalay City.

As core members of Peace, Law Enforcement, and Development Support (PLEDS) cluster of the Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF ELCAC-10), the Army's 403rd Brigade and PNP Regional Office-10 crafted the training's outline to awaken the spirit of Bayanihan among the police and military workforces.

The training's theme bounded on how to capacitate the PNP personnel on Community Support Program (CSP) to prepare them for deployment and augment the Philippine Army troops in CSP implementation both in rural and suburban areas in Region 10.

Police Colonel Roel Lami-ing, PNP Bukidnon provincial director, in his message, thanked the 403rd Brigade of the Philippine Army for leading the said AFP-PNP Joint Training because it would add strength to the police forces on field while fulfilling their respective duties in protecting communities against insurgents and outlaws.

"We are thankful and grateful to the Philippine Army for providing us this kind of learning opportunity. This activity also shows to the general public that the PNP and AFP is one in uplifting the welfare and rights of the people and securing the peace and order not just in the Province of Bukidnon but also in the entire Region 10. Rest assured that the PNP will always support the AFP in its mandate specifically on its fight against insurgency," Police Col. Lami-ing said.

Colonel Ferdinand T. Barandon, 403rd Brigade Commander, also commended the participants as he explained that the training is necessary to hone the personnel's skills. He emphasized that training is the best morale that the Army can give to the troops, as it would help enhance their expertise and attitudes in conducting non-traditional and traditional activities.

For the calendar year 2020, twenty-five areas within Bukidnon province-both villages and sub-villages-are undergoing community support programs.

"We need to beef up our forces conducting Community Support Programs in some areas of Bukidnon and Misamis Oriental and we need the support of PNP on this. Thus, we conducted this training. This activity is also the result of the coordination of Peace, Law Enforcement and Development Support (PLEDS) Cluster of RTF ELCAC-10 that enhances the cooperation of the security forces to finally put an end to the insurgency problem in Region 10 by clearing the areas previously affected by the CTGs," Barandon added. (403rd Bde, 4ID, PA/PIA Bukidnon)