ARMY UNITS IN PANAY & GUIMARAS REMINDED TO BE APOLITICAL

VENER Y MORGA
CAPTAIN (INF) PA
Brigade CMO Officer

Camp Hernandez, Dingle, Iloilo – Anticipating possible issues related the Omnibus Election Code and the existing COMELEC Resolutions for military units not to be involved in the ongoing Election Campaign period, COL RENATO DAVID, Commanding Officer, 301st Infantry Brigade, 3rd Infantry (Spearhead) Division, Philippine Army issued a directive to all Commanders of Philippine Army units placed on operational control to the brigade, reminding them to strictly adhere to the provisions of the Omnibus Election Code and the Implementing Guidelines, Rules and Regulations (IGRR) to the Memorandum of Agreement entered into by the Department of National Defense and the Commission of Elections dated 22 Jan 2007.

Said reminders is in compliance to the specific instructions of MGEN JOVENAL NARCISE AFP, Commanding General, 3ID, PA based in Camp Peralta, Jamindan, Capiz that all military units in the Visayas should be shielded from partisan politics. As such, they shall remain apolitical and impartial. Active military personnel, CAFGU’s and even the reservists wearing military uniforms who are constituents of political candidates should not be seen in the company of said candidates during their campaign sorties.

The 301Bde’s area of responsibility covers the whole of Panay and Guimaras Islands. Placed OPCON to the brigade are the 47IB based in Camp Jizmundo, Brgy Libas, Banga, Aklan which has jurisdiction over the whole of Aklan and Capiz Provinces and the southern and eastern towns of Iloilo and 79IB based in Camp Fullon, San Jose, Antique which has jurisdiction over the whole of Antique Province and the central and southern towns of Iloilo.

The five (5) Community Defense Centers (CDC) of the 6RCDG, PA are likewise placed OPCON to the brigade. The CDC’s which are based in the Province of Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Iloilo and Guimaras, has jurisdiction over the ROTC units, reservists and military retirees. There is also a standing directive from the Headquarters, Philippine Army that military personnel should refrain from joining medical/dental civic actions or similar cause-oriented activities sponsored by politicians, their families or political parties.