DAVAO CITY – While they are known as an elite fighting unit of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Army’s 2nd Scout Ranger Battalion also seeks to address the communist insurgency problem in a more comprehensive approach.
The Scout Rangers are known for their skills in jungle warfare. However, in a program with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and the local government units in Davao del Sur, they showed their lighter side as they initiated a 30-day masonry and welding courses for former rebels and local villagers.
On Friday, 15 former rebels and 65 local residents completed the vocational course held inside the Scout Rangers’ base in Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur.
The initiative was the unit’s program under the “whole government approach” in addressing the communist insurgency, said 1Lt. Alan Wadsilang, civil military operations officer of the 2nd Scout Ranger Battalion.
Originally, the program was intended for the former rebels but they later accommodated out-of-school youth and senior high schools from the community.
“Una, former rebels lang then marami ng sumali from community,” he added.
Wadsilang explained that while it is rare for an elite fighting unit like them to conduct community outreach programs, they see it as an alternative approach in addressing the needs of the people on the ground.
The military officer lauded the local government unit of Sta. Cruz for its all-out support to the program.
Wadsilang added that they are also planning to offer the same courses to another batch of former rebels and community members next year.
Sta. Cruz was once a hot bed of communist insurgency in 1980s.
In December last year, President Duterte signed the Executive Order (EO) 70, which seeks to institute a “whole of government” approach in addressing communist insurgency.
Efforts such as this vocational course, he added is part of the grassroots campaign to encourage New People’s Army (NPA) rebels to return to the folds of the law. (Keith Bacongco)