Davao del Norte – The mass baptism was made possible through the effort of the R-PSB (Revitalized-Pulis sa Barangay) team deployed in Brgy Maduao led by PLT. Sonny Boy Ococa and PLT. Dennis Malayo and was officiated by PLTCOL./REV. FR. Marlou Labares, Regional Pastoral Officer, PRO 11; together with LTCDR./REV. FR. Tyrone Narisma, Philippine Navy; LT./ REV. FR. Peter Ezarsa, Philippine Coastguard; LTC./REV. FR. Melchor Torayno, Philippine Army; MAJ./REV. FR. Hernando Batomalaque, Philippine Army; and CAPT./REV. FR. Pedro Maniwang.
During their conduct of community engagement, our R-PSB team identified that many have no birth certificates and records at the Local civil registrar, hence they immediately coordinated with the LGU, Local Civil Registrar and other government agencies for the birth registration of those people. However, having no documents to support the identity of the applicants the birth registrations could not be easily processed.
To be able to supplement the necessary record needed for civil registration, the mass baptism was carried out with the cooperation of the chief, Regional Pastoral Office 11, PLTCOL. (REV. FR.) Marlou Labares and the Regional Community Affairs and Development Division (RCADD) under PCOL. Roel DR. Flores.
During the activity, Hon. Manolito D. Alcober, Barangay Captain, in his message conveyed that he witnessed the hardwork of the PNP, specially through the arrival of R-PSB in the barangay as conduit of peace and progress in their area.
Also, Hon. Jose E Relampagos, Panabo City Mayor in his message appreciated the effort of the R-PSB and expressed his readiness to support the program of the R-PSB. He also acknowledged that the area is a Mass base of CTGs and asked the people to instead support the government. He also gave ₱ 15,000.00 to the baptized individuals.
On the other hand, PBGEN. Escobal thanked the support of the LGU and the public of the PRO 11 R-PSB Program. He also thanked the presence of the Chaplains from the AFP, Phil. Navy, and Phil. Coastguard who assisted in the conduct of mass baptism and encouraged the people in the community to continuously support the government’s advocacies and programs..
(Press Release from Police Regional Office – XI | OIC Michael Manguhig, RPN DXKT Davao)