35th IB conducts Medcap and ITSS Seminar in Tangcal, LDN
Tangkal, Lanao del Norte (10 Dec 2010) - The 35th Infantry (Makamandag) Battalion under the sterling leadership of Lt. Col. Ferninand S Razalan has conducted a Medical and Dental Civic Action Program (MEDCAP) and an Integrated Territorial Security System (ITSS) Seminar in Brgy. Poblacion, Tangcal, Lanao del Norte.
The activity was done in collaboration with the Local Government Unit of Tangcal, Provincial Government of Lanao del Norte, Pakigdait Inc. and the Unites States Army Military Information Support Team (MIST)
The medical teams of the 1st Infantry (Tabak) Division and the Provincial Health Office worked hand-in-hand to provide free but quality medical and dental service to the underprivileged residents of Tangkal. Some constituents even came from the hinterland barangays of the municipality just to avail of the free medical service.
The residents were delighted of the free medical services given. Troops from the Alpha Company of the 35th IB distributed toothbrushes, toothpastes, and kid’s multivitamins to the children who were present during the activity. Several children lined up to receive the freebies.
At the end of the Medcap, approximately 350 residents from the different barangays of Tangkal benefitted from the activity.
On that same day, officers from the 35th IB and PNP Tangkal conducted a lecture to the Barangay Officials and Tanods in Tangkal regarding the Integrated Territorial Security System.
Hon. Aisah DA Batingolo, the municipal mayor, was delighted with the initiative of the 35th IB. She said in Maranao, “We, the people of Tangkal, are very grateful to Lt. Col. Ferdinand Razalan for the initiave of strengthening our territorial defense system. We hope that soldiers will always be in our municipality to assist in securing our municipality”.
After the prelimenaries, the lecture proper followed. 1Lt. Aldwin Cortez, the Company Commander of Alpha Company of 35th IB, gave a lecture on Insurgency Awareness, Barangay Security System and the concept of the ITSS.
Afterwhich, Lt. Col. Audie Mongao, the Executive Officer of the 35th IB, gave insights on the National Internal Security Plan. After his lecture, the audience was enlightened how their small part gives a large contribution to the overall plan of securing the whole country.
PInsp Dahili, the Chief of Police in Tangkal, also gave a lecture on Criminality and Law Enforcement, and Drug Abuse. After his lecture, he gave the participants intructions on how to properly conduct the citizen’s arrest.
The ITSS program was closed with the words of encouragement from Lt. Col. Ferdinand Razalan, the Commanding Officer of the 35th IB. He said, “Though the Balik Baril program of the government is temporarily suspended due to the pending talks between the GRP-MILF Peace Panels, with the help of the Provincial Government of Lanao del Norte, we hope to give livelihood to those rebels who still want to surrender and live a nomal live once again”.
The Local Government Unit of Tangkal also expresses their heartfelt gratitude to MGen Romeo Lustestica, the Commander of the 1st Infantry (Tabak) Division, and to Hon. Mohammad Khalid Quibranza-Dimaporo, the Provincial Governor of Lanao del Norte , for their unwavering support and assistance to the municipality.
35th IB Attends the Culture of Peace Seminar
Camp Allere, Salvador (29 Sept 2010) – Officers of the 35th Infantry (Makamandag) Battalion led by Lt. Col. Ferdinand S. Razalan recently attended the Capacity Development for the Security Sector on the Culture of Peace Seminar held at Granaderos Beach Resort in Maigo, Lanao del Norte from Sept 22 to 24, 2010. The said seminar was facilitated byEmmanuel B. Amancio under the Action for Conflict Transformation (ACT) for Peace Programme of the United Nations.
The theme of the said seminar is “Stregthening peacebuilding efforts and sustaining the gains of peace and development in Southern Philippines”.
Members of the uniformed service gathered in the seminar to learn the current trends in conflict resolution thru creative and peaceful approaches. Selected officers and men from the 601st Infantry (Unifier) Brigade; 15th (Molave), 35th (Makamandag), and 43rd (We Search) Infantry Battalions of the Philippine Army; along with the Chiefs of Police and and selected Police Non-Commissioned Officers (PNCO) from the municipalities of Lanao del Norte, were present in that fruitful seminar.
Lt. Col. Ferdinand S. Razalan, Commanding Officer of the 35th Infantry (Makamandag) Battalion stated “I really appreciate the initiative of the facilitators of the ACT for Peace Programme for making the security sector come together in this very meaningful seminar”. He stressed further,“I desire that the lessons learned here in this seminar should be reechoed, and I recommend that the next Culture of Peace Seminar should involve the security sector and the Local Government Units of Lanao del Norte. In this manner, we can fulfill the dream of the Culture of Peace where people can grow in dignity, self-determination, and service and solidarity for their fellow human beings”.
The Culture of Peace Seminar taught five modules to the participants, namely: Understanding Self, Historical Journey, Understanding Conflict Transformation, Peaceful Approaches, and Understanding the Culture of Peace.
In the Understanding Self module, the participants were taught how to acknowledge perceptions and biases between different social and ethnic groups thru groupworks that identified the positive and negative traits of each social and ethnic group. To address dealing with the negative traits of each social and ethnic group, a Proactive model was introduced to the participants.
Lecturers spanned throughout time in the Historical Journey module to give the participants an in depth look at the common roots of the social and ethnic groups, and established how these groups were separated by historical conflict. With this, theparticipants were enabled to identify sources of conflict and evoked their perceptions on the stateof the tri-people relations in mindanao and the roles of the key players and instruments in conflict and its resolution.
Participants were given a dose of new and creative approaches to conflict transformation in the Understanding Conflict module. Lectures were given on the principles, definition, assumptions, levels and nature of conflict to enable the participants to get a full understanding of how to deal with contemporary conflicts and anticipate the causes of future conflicts.
The Peaceful Approaches module embedded in the particpants the processes and procedures in coming to a peaceful solution to conflict thru meditation, dialogue, and negotiation.
Lastly, the Understanding the Culture of Peace module awakened the participants on the realities of the world’s conflicts thru a lively discussion on the topic “Seven Blunders of the World” by Mahatma Gandhi. It was followed by a lecture on the definition, sources, and dynamic process of the Culture of Peace.
Joselito D. Pomperada, a retired senior commisioned police officer who now works as the Area Security and Laiason Officer for the ACT for Peace Programme, expressed his heartfelt gratitude to all who made the seminar a success, stating “I thank the facilitators and lecturers of the Culture of Peace seminar for extending such very informative lectures for the benefit of the security sector here in Lanao del Norte. I hope that after this seminar, the participants will apply what they have learned to their constituents here in Lanao del Norte”.
The ACT for Peace Progamme is the fourth and final phase of the Government of the Philippines – United Nations Multi-Donor Programme (GoP-UNMDP) that started in 1997. The Programme is the United Nations’ and the Philippine Government’s commitment to peace and development in Southern Philippines.
The goal of the Programme is to contribute to the promotion of national harmony and a just conclusion of the Government’s peace process. Its purpose is to strengthen peacebuilding efforts and sustain the gains for peace and development in Southern Philippines.
The goal of the Programme is to contribute to the promotion of national harmony and a just conclusion of the Government’s peace process. Its purpose is to strengthen peacebuilding efforts and sustain the gains for peace and development in Southern Philippines.
The Programme builds on the gains of the past three phases of the UNMDP, which were implemented in support to the peace agreement between the Philippine Government and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).
At the end of the Progamme, three key outcomes are expected: First, the transformation of Peace and Development Communities (PDCs) and other conflict-affected areas are sustained and community efforts to develop and advance their own initiatives for peace and human security harnessed; Second, peacebuilding and conflict transformation (prevention, management and resolution) capacities of actors and institutions strengthened and institutionalized; and Lastly, critical partnerships towards sustaining an environment of trust, confidence, and collaboration for peace and development strengthened.
At the end of the Progamme, three key outcomes are expected: First, the transformation of Peace and Development Communities (PDCs) and other conflict-affected areas are sustained and community efforts to develop and advance their own initiatives for peace and human security harnessed; Second, peacebuilding and conflict transformation (prevention, management and resolution) capacities of actors and institutions strengthened and institutionalized; and Lastly, critical partnerships towards sustaining an environment of trust, confidence, and collaboration for peace and development strengthened.
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) serves as the managing agent for the Programme.
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1Lt. Francis G. Damian, Civil Relations Officer of the 35th Infantry (Makamandag) Battalion, presents his group’s output on the perceptions and biases between different social and ethnic groups and identified the positive and negative traits of each social and ethnic group. |
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Lt. Col. Ferdinand S. Razalan, Commanding Officer of the 35th Infantry (Makamandag) Battalion, expresses his gratitude for the initiative of the facilitators of the ACT for Peace Programme for making the security sector come together in that very meaningful seminar. |
 Colonel Leo Cresente Ferrer, 601st Brigade Commander; Honorable Rafael Rizalda, Mayor of Maigo; (Ret) PSSUPTJoselito Pomperada, Area Security and Liaison Officer; Mrs Diosita T. Andot, Programme Manager; Selected officers and men from the 601st Infantry (Unifier) Brigade; 15th (Molave), 35th (Makamandag), and 43rd (We Search) Infantry Battalions of the Philippine Army; along with the Chiefs of Police and selected Police Non-Commissioned Officers (PNCO) from the municipalities of Lanao del Norte, gathered in the joint workshop. |
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 35th IB Celebrates Eid ul-Fitr Camp Allere, Salvador, LdN (11 Sept 2010) – The 35th Infantry (Makamandag) Battalion headed by Lt. Col. Ferdinand S. Razalan recently celebrated Eid ul-Fitr last September 10, 2010 together with the Muslim community in Salvador, Lanao del Norte, with Hon. Hassanor L. Tawantawan, the Municipal Mayor of Salvador, and Sultan Johnny A. Tawantawan, the Executive Adviser to the Mayor, as special guests. The Mosque detachment in Camp Allere was filled with decorations and revelry. The celebration was started with a program. Lt. Col. Audie “Mohammad Fahd” A. Mongao, the Battalion’s Executive Officer and a Muslim himself, gave the welcome address by citing the reasons why muslims celebrate Eid ul-Fitr. Lt. Col. Ferdinand Razalan, the Commanding Officer of the Battalion, gave his Eidl Fitr message to the Muslim community. The special guests, namely, Hon. Hassanor Tawantawan and Sultan Johnny A. Tawantawan also gave their Eidl Fitr message to their fellow Muslims. After the program, there were parlor games for the children. The children were delighted with the fun-filled morning as almost all children won prizes. For lunch the Muslim community had a boodlefight, military tradition where you eat using your hands as you feast on rice topped with viands. Civilians were joined by soldiers in the partaking of the midday meal. After the whole program, everyone in Camp Allere were in high spirits, including the Christian community who also took part in the celebration of the Eid ul-Fitr. From singing to videoke, to the delicious food prepared whenever you visit a house owned by a Muslim. “It was like fiesta all over again” said one Christian visitor who join the celebration. In a battalion where one thirdof soldiers are Muslim, Lt. Col. Ferdinand Razalan congatulated not only the Muslim civilians, but also the Muslim troops as well for hurdling the challenge of Ramadan. Lt. Col. Audie “Mohammad Fahd” Mongao, the highest ranking Muslim officer in the Battalion, remarked “Fasting is a self-imposed challenge. No one can know if you are really fasting or not. Only you yourself is accountable to Allah. That is the challenge of Ramadan remembering the instance when he climbed Mt. Torongtorong and has to restrain himself from drinking a drop of water to quench his thirst. The holiday of Eid ul-Fitr marks the end of the fasting period of Ramadan and the first day of the following month, after another new moon has been sighted. Eid ul-Fitr means the Festival of Breaking the fast; a special celebration is made. Food is donated to the poor (Zakat al-fitr); everyone puts on their best, usually new clothes; and communal prayers are held in the early morning, followed by feasting and visiting relatives and friends. Ramadan is the 9th month of the Islamic calendar. It is the Islamic month of fasting, in which participating muslims refrain from eating, drinking, and sexual relations from dawn until sunset. Fasting is intended to teach muslims about patience, humility, and spirituality. It is a time for Muslims to fast for the sake of Allah and to offer more prayer than usual. During Ramadan, Muslims ask forgiveness for past sins, pray for guidance, and help in refraining from everyday evils, and try to purify themselves through self restraint and good deeds. Ramadan to be an auspicious month for the revelations of God to mankind, being the month in which the first verses of the Qur’an were revealed to the prophet Muhammad. It is worth noting that the Inasagan Mosque is the first air-conditioned mosque in the western Lanao del Norte area. This airconditioning was made possible during the term of Lt. Col. Ferdinand S. Razalan as Commanding Officer. |
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Sultan Jhonny Tawantawan, delivered his speech during the celebration of Eid ul-Fitr held at Inasagan Mosque, Salvador, LDN. Looking on are Hon Hassanor L Tawantawan, Municipal Mayor of Salvador, LDN; LTC RAZALAN, CO this unit; Ustadz Omar Tawantawan, Aleem of Salvador, LDN.
Army Top Brass Visits 35th IB Salvador, LdN (15 October 2010) – Lt. Gen. Arturo B. Ortiz, the Commanding General of the Philippine Army, visited the 35th Infantry (Makamandag) Battalion in Camp Allere, Salvador, Lanao del Norte on October 14, 2010. A foyer honor was rendered to the CGPA as he arrived in Camp Allere, the home of the battle-tested Makamandag troopers. He was received by no other than Lt. Col. Ferdinand S. Razalan, the Commanding Officer of the 35IB. After the foyer honor, the highest ranking officer in the Philippine Army together with his staff were given a briefing by Lt. Col. Razalan on the current security situation in the unit’s area of operation, which covers the thirteen (13) municipalities of western Lanao del Norte. Lt. Col. Razalan stated in his briefing that, “the 35th Infantry (Makamandag) Battalion is applying the 80-20 concept of the Western Mindanao Command, which mainly focus on the implementation of Civil-Military Operations while continuing to monitor enemy activities thru intensified intelligence gathering activities and deterring enemy hostile actions by conducting active security operations. The briefing was followed by the Commanding General talking to the troops. “All the activities that we do must be done with passion, hardwork and perseverance. In this way, our organization will reach its full potential,” he said. Before the Commanding General left Camp Allere, he was given a colorful vase made by the Maranaos here in Lanao del Norte as a simple token from the Makamandag troopers. The Commanding General also planted a tree inside the camp as a remembrance of his visitation. Lt. Gen. Arturo B. Ortiz is a member of the Philippine Military Academy “Matapat” Class of 1979. He is a recipient of the Medal of Valor, the highest award given by the Armed Forces of the Philippines for his achievement above and beyond the call of duty during his junior officer years.  Makamandag Troopers rendering a Foyer Honor to Lt. Gen. Arturo B. Ortiz (left), the Commanding General of the Philippine Army as he arrived in Camp Allere, the home of the battle-tested Makamandag troopers. Cordially receiving him is Lt. Col. Ferdinand S. Razalan (right), the Commanding Officer of the 35th Infantry (Makamandag) Battalion.  Lt. Col. Ferdinand Razalan briefing the Commanding General of the Philippine Army, stating that, “The 35th Infantry (Makamandag) Battalion is applying the 80-20 concept of the Western Mindanao Command, which mainly focus on the implementation of Civil-Military Operations while continuing to monitor enemy activities thru intensified intelligence gathering activities and deterring enemy hostile actions by conducting defensive operations.”  Lt. Gen. Arturo Ortiz (left), the Commanding General of the Philippine Army, receiving a colorful vase made by the Maranaos here in Lanao del Norte, witnessed by Lt. Col. Audie Mongao (center), the Battalion Executive Officer, and 1Lt. Ericson Salcedo (left), the Headquarters Commandant, as a simple token from the Makamandag troopers.  Lt. Gen. Arturo B. Ortiz, the Commanding General of the Philippine Army, talking to the troops, saying, “all the activities that we do must be done with passion, hardwork and perseverance, in this way our organization will reach its full potential.’’ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
Makamandag Theater in Camp Allere
Salvador (16 Sept 2010) – The 35th Infantry (Makamandag) Battalion, under the able leadership of Lt. Col. Ferdinand S. Razalan, has yet another innovation in Camp Allere. The Inter-AgencyCoordination Arreza Hall has now been given another role, as a theater.
In line with the unit’s Civil-Military Operations mission that the camp is part of the community, the camp is being developed to cater also to the needs of the community. People now would come to inside the camp to play tennis, badminton, or basketball. And now they can watch a movie.
On selected nights, the Arreza Hall would come alive with visitors who would simply come to watch a movie, whether it is a concert of classic bands which would make you feel like you’re in an urban nightspot, or an andrenaline-rushing action movie, or a sappy love story, or an awesome documentary, everyone can just sit back and relax.
One may ask, how did this came to be?
The Arreza hall was upgraded with an overhead projector cradle so that it now looks like an audio visual hall. Coupled with a sensurround sound system, one might mistake the hall for a cinema in a posh mall.
The only thing lacking maybe are Lazy Boy seats and ticket entrance. But of course, it’s public service, so anyone can watch a nice movie there for free.
The 35th Infantry (Makamandag) Battalion, under the able leadership of Lt. Col. Ferdinand S. Razalan, has yet another innovation in Camp Allere. The Inter-Agency Coordination Arreza Hall has now been given another role, as a theater.
Makamandag troopers together with the civilian populace of Brgy Inasagan, Salvador, LDN watching film showing at the Inter-Agency Coordination Arreza Hall.
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Men in Uniform Show Hidden Talents
The Wharf, Kolambugan (15 October 2010) – Soldiers, policemen, and firemen showed the lighter side of their personality in a showcase of talents thru a stage production entitled, “Lingaw para sa Kalinaw” in celebration of the Men in Uniform night held last October 15, 2010 at The Wharf, Kolambugan, Lanao del Norte.
The “Lingaw para sa Kalinaw” is a stage production which highlighted the servicemen’s talents in singing, dancing, and acting. The event was graced by Hon. Grecille I. Matalines, Provincial Board Member and Chairwoman of the Provincial Tourism Council, our Guest Speaker for the night.
Lt. Col. Ferdinand Razalan, Commanding Officer of the 35th Infantry “Makamandag” Battalion, spearheaded the endeavor. “This is an effort to convey to the people of Lanao del Norte that despite the regimented life and selfless devotion to duty of our servicemen and servicewomen, we are as fun-loving and tender-hearted as everyone else. In this way, nobody will hesitate in approaching every serviceman and servicewoman whenever they would need our services.”
Police Inspector Raymundo Cabanlit Pactol, the Police Community Relations Officer of the Lanao del Norte Police Provincial Office representing PSSupt ORLANDO A BEÑAS (DSC) PNP the Lanao PPO Director commented, “I would like to express my gratitude to the soldiers, policemen and firemen who have conceptualized and made this stage production a reality.”
The crowd cheered as members of the 35th Infantry Battalion, PNP Kolambugan, and BFP Kolambugan moved to the beat of “Baby” by Justin Bieber.
After the dance number, guests and Kolambuganons almost fell out of their seats in laughter to the stand up comedians. The stand-up comedy gave the audience smiles on their faces and a moral lesson for the upcoming elections. “Let us make the upcoming elections peaceful and credible for the benefit of all the people of Lanao del Norte,” the comedians emphasized.
The stand-up comedy was followed by a folk song number from a member of the PNP.
A dance number was also rendered by the ladies from Brgy. Poblacion, Kolambugan to pay tribute to the people of Kolambugan.
After the show, everyone who witnessed the stage production was entertained. “Perteng kataw-anan oi (It was full of fun),” said a group of youth who came to watch.
Hon. Grecille Matalines was delighted of the feature presentation. “I thank the Army, PNP, and BFP for coming up with this activity even though they are focused on peacekeeping operations,” she said.
Since its launching last September 11 (9-11), 2010, The Wharf of Kolambugan, Lanao del Norte has provided entertainment not only for the people of Kolambugan but also for the people of the whole Lanao del Norte as well. Plans are underway to fully develop The Wharf into the premier tourist attraction of Kolambugan.
Lt. Col. Ferdinand Razalan, Commanding Officer of the 35th Infantry “Makamandag” Battalion, giving his message to the people of Lanao del Norte. “This is an effort to convey to the people of Lanao del Norte that despite the regimented life and selfless devotion to duty of our servicemen and servicewomen, we are as fun-loving and tender-hearted as everyone else. in this way, nobody will hesitate in approaching every serviceman and servicewoman whenever they would need our services,” he said.
Hon. Grecille Matalines, Provincial Board Member and Chairwoman of the Provincial Tourism Council, as Guest Speaker, giving her message before the feature presentation of the Men in Uniform Night “I thank the Army, PNP, and BFP for coming up with this activity even though they are focused on peacekeeping operations they still have time to make our stomachs giggle!,” she said.
Members of the 35th Infantry Battalion, PNP Kolambugan, and BFP Kolambugan moving to the beat of “Baby” by Justin Bieber while the crowd cheers.
PFC Gonzales and PFC Mijal, the stand-up comedians of the 35th Infantry Battalion giving the audience smiles on their faces and a moral lesson for the upcoming elections. “Let us make the upcoming elections peaceful and credible for the benefit of all the people of Lanao del Norte,” the comedians emphasized.
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Rouge MILF Member Surrenders to the Army
Camp Allere, Salvador, LdN (20 Aug 2010) – The 35th Infantry (Makamandag) Battalion under the able leadership of Lt. Col. Ferdinand S. Razalan, has accepted the surrender of Salim Tanggulam Somanggibo alias Saidi, rouge member of 2nd Battalion,SAF, Provincial Police Force, BIAF, Moro Islamic Liberation Front(MILF), bringing along with him his 40mm M203 Grenade launcher, yesterday September 19, 2010.
Lt. Col. Ferdinand Razalan said, “We will diligently process his Balik Baril
Salim Sommangibo @ Saidi, who is included in the Order of Battle, surrendered to 1Lt Aldwin Cortez, the Commanding Officer of “A” Company, 35th Infantry (Makamandag) Battalion, based in Magsaysay, Lanao del Norte.
“I want a new life and have my named cleared”,he said in vernacular when he was asked why he surrendered. “I can’t take running away from security forces anymore”, he further stated.
Before joining the Rouge MILF group, Salim Somanggibo Jabar Barat alias Tommy Burong
However, Saidi soon realized that he was being lied to by his recruiter. “At first I really wanted to fight the government security forces, but then our leaders didn’t feed us nor gave the huge salary they promised”, he said teary eyed as he remembered the days of conflict between the government and the Rouge MILF. “I was furious, my family was starving, but I couldn’t leave that easily, they threatened to kill me and my family”.
After months of enduring years of hardship from hiding and fleeing from the government security forces, Saidi sent surrender feelers to “A” Company of the 35th Infantry (Makamandag) Battalion.
“His surrender was the product of extensive intelligence efforts . We are pleased that he went back to the folds of the government”, said Col. Leo Cresente M. Ferrer, the Brigade Commander of 601st Infantry Brigade based in Camp Ditucalan, Maria Cristina, Iligan City.
Salim Sommangibo @ Saidi, who is included in the Order of Battle, surrendered to 1Lt Aldwin Cortez, the Commanding Officer of “A” Company, 35th Infantry (Makamandag) Battalion, based in Magsaysay, Lanao del Norte.
Salim Sommangibo @ Saidi, member of Special Action Force, Provincial Police Force, CBBC, BIAF, MILF with his M203 grenade launcher.
