LABANGAN, Zamboanga del Sur, Oct. 17 (PIA) – To better equip soldiers and policemen for the job at hand, the 1st Cavalry (Tagapanguna) Squadron, Mechanized Infantry Division, Philippine Army and the Pagadian City Police Station forged partnership and collaboration through an exercise dubbed “Supply Management and Explosive Ordnance Reconnaissance Agent Training” (EORAT) held recently at Camp Jacobo Zobel, Major Cesar Sang-an, Pulacan, this town.
LtCol. Charlemange F. Batayola, Jr., commanding officer of the 1Cav squadron thanked the 31 participants composed of troopers and PNP personnel for their steadfast commitment to enhance their learning and skills development as well as professional growth.
“The training is geared towards the enhancement of your character as individual soldiers and policemen. I would presume that you have rediscovered your sense of purpose in our organization whether you are a member of the AFP or PNP,” Batayola said.
He cited that during the week-long extensive training, troopers have personally experienced the pressure in detonating explosives which they did not normally perform before, adding that their role is to provide effective and efficient armor support to the 1st Infantry (Tabak) Division, Philippine Army.
Batayola said troopers and PNP personnel were taught on the principles and procedures in the conduct of reconnaissance during explosives-related incidents and identification of explosive materials.
“You now possess an increased awareness and vigilance on the safety precautions and preventive measures when explosive materials are found prior to the arrival of the responding EOD teams or bomb squad,” he declared.
It was indeed an opportunity for
soldiers and policemen to join together to achieve their common goal of
preserving peace in our country, according to Batayola.
Meanwhile, Police Officer 3 Ruben
Balido, team leader of the Pagadian City Police Station Bomb Squad said the
training was able to establish good relations between the PNP and AFP.
He also expressed optimism that
participants will apply the theories, principles and practical exercises on the
training rules and safety precautions that they have learned.
“They are already equipped with the knowledge. Every time there is a bomb threat, they know their roles as first responders before the bomb squad will arrive,” Balido concluded.
