BALER, Aurora — The Philippine Army’s 91st Infantry “Sinagtala” Battalion has conducted a 5-day training in counter-improvised explosive device (CIED) and ammunitions handling in a bid to strengthen interoperability of the reserve force and regular force.
Lt. Col. Julito B. Recto, Jr., commander of 91st IB, said on Sunday, the training includes the 7th Infantry “Kaugnay” Division, Philippine Army “Kaugnay ang Laang Kawal” and aims to train regular force and the reserve force have the same knowledge on territorial defense.
“We want them to be ready on how would they react properly when they encounter an IED and handling an ammunition which makes them better able to protect themselves and accomplish their mission in a particular area or battle in the fields,” Recto said.
He added the training will reduce the chances of injury, and will give them a wider knowledge and the tools they need to make the scene safe once they think they have found an IED.
“The terrorist groups use IEDs as one of their tactics and often hides them to look like ordinary items like cellphone, earphone, make-up kit, a cigarette pack, or book but really it is a lethal device and it could kill people. We trained them to be aware of it to save lives,” Recto said.
He furthered the participants are now well equipped with the fundamental knowledge concerning IEDs, its construction, enemy employment and the means to effectively protect personnel, equipment, and other assets from such device.
Staff Sergeant Christopher P. Cupag, Explosive Ordnance Device (EOD) Battalion served as one of the instructors for the training along with Staff Sergeant Enrile C. Sagudang and Sergeant Jho Jho M Salanio.
“I hope that the participants learned a lot. The recent training will keep our troops safe, will reduce the chances of injury and give them the tools they need to make the scene safe once they think they have found an IED,” Cupag said.
Meanwhile, 2lt Antonio Rugayan, Operations Officer of the 307th of Aurora Ready Reserve Infantry Battalion (307th ARRIBn) expressed his gratitude to 91st IB for the continuous training of the reservist which allowed to gain skills on how to respond in case of an IED threat and as part of the interoperability of Kaugnay ang Laang Kawal.
Among those who took the training includes the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) students, enlisted personnel, Citizen Armed Forces Geographical Unit Active Auxiliary (CAA) and reservist in this province.
The training was held at the 91st IB headquarter in Barangay Calabuanan, in Aurora. (Jason de Asis)