Personnel of the Philippine National Police and the Philippine Army gave away post-Christmas presents during separate activities in two villages of Negros Occidental.
On Monday, the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO) and the 303rd Infantry Brigade (303rd IBde) released their respective reports on the gift-giving activities.
In the north, some 150 children and adults in Sitio Kawilihan, Barangay Sicaba, Cadiz City received food packs and other items from troops of the 303rd IBde, 32nd Civil-Military Operations (CMO) Company, and 14th CMO Battalion on Jan. 2.
Distributed were rice, canned goods, instant noodles as well as slippers, assorted clothes, and toys for children.
Capt. Kelvin Bayaban, commanding officer of 32CMOC and CMO officer of 303rd IBde, said they aim to further reach out to communities in their area of responsibility by spreading the spirit of Christmas.
In the south, 200 households in Barangay Caliling, Cauayan also received gift packs, clothes, and various home items, along with children who received slippers, toys, and vitamin supplements.
The activity held on Dec. 30 sought to bring the community closer to law enforcement and other government forces to encourage people still under the deceptive ideologies of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front to return to the fold of the law.
The gift-giving was a joint effort of the NOCPPO, 15th Infantry Battalion, Bureau of Fire Protection, and Municipality of Cauayan headed by Mayor John Rey Tabujara.
They were also joined by the Task Force Kasanag-Cauayan Chapter, Philippine Road Sport Confederation-Kabankalan Chapter, EVO Riders Club, Silay Infinity Riders Club-Cauayan Chapter, and Kabalikat CIVICOM.
“We hope that you feel not only our presence but also our love. We come to you with one goal — to achieve peace towards development,” said Col. Romy Palgue, police provincial director, in his message read by Maj. Reynante Jomocan, chief of NOCPPO Community Affairs and Development Unit. (PNA)