A $5-million facility that aims to enhance the capabilities of the Philippine Army’s Special Forces and other security forces in conducting riverine operations in Bohol is facing delay due to some deficiencies in the necessary documents.
This was revealed by Brigadier General Ferdinand B. Napuli, the commander of the Special Forces Regiment (Airborne), during his courtesy call to Bohol Governor Erico Aristotle Aumentado on January 17, 2024, at his office in the Capitol.
Napuli said that the facility, which will be built in Dela Paz, Cortes, has a funding from the United States and will serve as a Reverine Facility and Training School for the Special Forces and other units.
He said that the project is part of the Special Forces’ efforts to support the peace and development initiatives of the provincial government and the Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (PTF-ELCAC).
However, he said that the construction of the facility has been delayed due to some deficiencies in the necessary documents and that he needs the assistance of the governor to expedite the processing and coordination with the concerned agencies.
Aumentado assured Napuli that he will help him in resolving the issue and that he appreciates the Special Forces’ projects in the province.
He said that he recognizes the important role of the Special Forces in securing the province from threats and maintaining the peace and stability in Bohol.
He also expressed his hope that the Special Forces will continue to work closely with the local officials and the community in implementing the programs and projects related to peace and order.
Napuli was accompanied by the outgoing and incoming commanding officers of the 21st Special Forces Company, Captains Bilver Butale and Angelito Pangan, respectively.
The 21st Special Forces Company is based in Riverside, Bilar, and is responsible for conducting counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations in the province.
During the visit, Pangan expressed his gratitude to Aumentado for his support to the Special Forces’ activities and handed him a certificate of appreciation.
Also present during the courtesy call were Major Marbien Delos Reyes, Major Louie Dandy Haro, First Lieutenants Philip Viscaya and Junniel Gelbolingo, and Romeo Teruel, the focal person of the PTF-ELCAC.
The governor also talked about the Camp Bernido in Tagbilaran City, which serves as the headquarters of the Bohol Ready Reserve Infantry Battalion.
He said the camp was affected by the road widening project of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and that he plans to find a bigger and more comfortable lot for the reservists.
He added that the current space will be used for other government projects and that the capitol will also take care of the construction of a new building for the reservists in the new lot.
On the other hand, Aumentado also discussed the issue of the Ubay Military Reservation Camp, where some families are currently living.
He said that he will need funds from the Office of the Social Welfare and Development (OPSWD) to relocate the families and clear the camp.
He added that the local government of Ubay is willing to provide another lot for the families.