WestMinCom troops to launch Brigada Eskwela, Masjid in area of ops

By Jong Cadion

ZAMBOANGA CITY (May 11, 2017) - The Western Mindanao Command, under the leadership of Lieutenant General Carlito G. Galvez, Jr., will launch series of activities to support DEPED and Muslim communities concentrating on marginalized schools and conflict-affected areas, military official said.

Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom) Information Officer Cpt Jo-Ann D. Petinglay disclosed that all units under the WestMinCom are currently preparing to assist the various academic institutions in the conduct of the 2017 Brigada Eskwela in preparation for the opening of another school year. Military units under the Command will help schools within its operational area become more conducive and comfortable for learning. This aims to foster the spirit of Bayanihan among the different stakeholders.

"The armed forces wish to extend assistance to educational institutions and encourage the Filipino youth to value literacy. We believe that this is one of the solutions to extremism in conflict-afflicted areas, where there is a large number of out-of-school youth who become combatants,” said Lieutenant General Carlito G. Galvez, Jr., Commander, Western Mindanao Command.

Cpt. Petinglay said that the participation of the armed forces in the Brigada Eskwela has become a traditional practice. Every year, soldiers in all areas of the country coordinate and work together with the Department of Education, the teachers, school administrators and parents in cleaning and repairing classrooms of incoming students.

Cpt. Petinglay said, the joint endeavor has provided a venue for the AFP to reach out and give service to the next generation of leaders that will take different roles in the future. For 2017, Lieutenant General Galvez specifically directed all units under his command to implement another important activity that he wish will become integral in all AFP units.

She also said that the "Brigada Masjid" that will be launched by the 2nd week of May before the Ramadan season starts, and will be recommended to be institutionalized among military units nationwide.

She further said, just like the "Brigada Eskwela" concept, the new endeavor intends that units will assist our Muslim brothers in cleaning and repairing mosques in their respective areas to prepare for the upcoming Ramadan season.

"It was the 4th Special Forces Battalion and the 104th Brigade who thought of and first implemented the endeavor and in the process, the units received positive response from the Muslim community they are serving," says the WestMinCom chief.

“This year, we want to implement both the Brigada Eskwela and Brigada Masjid in a wider scale. We will launch the activity and conduct it within the Western Mindanao."

"We hope that our brothers will give the soldiers of WestMinCom a chance to become part of this religious celebration in the manner we know possible. We can see that "Brigada Masjid" is a very good venue to promote cultural understanding and harmony," added LtGen. Galvez.