BALER,
Aurora -- The 7th Infantry “Kaugnay” Division (ID) of the
Philippine Army based in Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija is now on the move to
organize local chapters of the Kaugnay Media Defense Corps Inc. (KMDCI) in
their area of responsibility to serve as the conscience of the community
focusing on the local needs and the windows of the world through information
dissemination of the soldiers’ activities.
Army
Capt. Mark Anthony B. Ruelos, 7th ID spokesperson, said the first target of
this move is the local media in the province of Aurora wherein officers of the
KMDCI have already made a courtesy call on the 56th Infantry “Tatag” Battalion,
Philippine Army Chief Lt. Col. Joey A. Escanillas, to set up officers of the
KMDCI Aurora Chapter on March 27 and Baler Mayor Nelianto C. Bihasa.
It
is expected that during the gatherings, the local media will also discuss
acceptance of writers from cyber media and members of campus journalism.
Escanillas
expressed full support for the plan and lauded the KMDCI, informing that he has
already a plan to put up the 56th IB, Philippine Army media press corps before
and will now come into reality with the support of the 7th ID personnel and
media.
Ruelos
said that the KMDCI was established purposely to strengthen the relationship
between the military and media.
“We
have seen in the past that the military was not able to fully utilize the power
of media, especially in informing the public. The current thrust of the Armed
Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is winning the peace, and the media play vital
role in informing the general public about the plans, activities and
significant accomplishments of the AFP,” Ruelos said.
With
the establishment of KMDCI within the area of operation of 7th ID, he said that
informing the public is now easier and the relationship between the media and
the military is now strengthened through constant dialogue and sharing of
information to the public.
He,
however, stressed that the 7th ID will continue to perform its mandate in
securing the land and serving the people.
“This
will be the direct line of communication for news and information about our
soldiers in every battalion and it is important for us for having an access to
current events and up-to-date information has value in giving the truest
information to the public in general circulations. With the help of the media,
people will be aware of the various events of the soldiers where I belong,”
Ruelos said.
After
the election of the KMDCI–Aurora Chapter, the group will conduct an executive
board meeting to discuss projects and programs to be implemented for the whole
year.
KMDCI
was registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) dated Nov. 30,
2014 signed by lawyer Richard R. Laus, acting director.
The
KMDCI will cover the 7th Infantry Division’s 702nd brigade area of
responsibility (AOR) in La Union, Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte, Bataan, Pampanga,
Tarlac, Zambales, 1st to 5th districts of Pangasinan, Cordillera Administration
Region (CAR) -- Tubo, Abra and Municipalities of 6th district of Pangasinan –
San Miguel, Santa Maria, Asingan, Rosales, Tayug and Balungao) and the 703rd
Brigade AOR in Aurora, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya,
municipalities of Dinapigue, Isabela and municipalities under 6th district of
Pangasinan (San Nicolas, San Quintin, Natividad and Umingan), whole of Region 1
and parts of Region 2.
The
Kaugnay Infantry Division’s area of responsibility represents varied cultures
and geographical make-up covering 15 provinces, 23 cities, 253 municipalities
composed of 6,797 barangays and inhabited by 14,890,738 people.
