ILOILO City – Fake news. Misinformation.
This was how the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) described the claim of two Aklan activists that they will soon be subjected to a “special operation” by the military.
According to Brigadier General Marion Sison of the 301st Infantry Brigade, there is no such surveillance on Bagong Alyasang Makabayan (BAYAN) Aklan chairperson George Calaor and spokesperson Kim-Sin Tugna.
Calaor claimed that on June 22, around 30 elements of the 301st Brigade proliferated in Puroks 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 13 of C. Laserna Street, Poblacion, Kalibo, Aklan investigating the location of his house and that of Tugna.
Sison, however, clarified that their presence in the area was because of the Civil Military Operation-Competency Enhancement Training (CMO-CET) community immersion activity of the CMO Office of the 3ID in Aklan.
“We are used sa kanilang issue against us. Walang surveillance na nangyayari. We sent soldiers there kasi may community emersion tayo na,” Sison said.
The CMO-CET is an annual training for military personnel, focusing on community engagement, consultation and problem solving sessions to respective areas.
Also part of the course is to consult the communities on the prevailing issues in the area.
The CMO-CET students will document the issues and concern of the community and make appropriate actions by looking a holistic resolution in collaboration with other government agencies and LGU at the municipal and provincial level./PN
