IMPASUGONG, BUKIDNON – A total of 19 former CPP-NPA Terrorists (CNTs) under the care of the 8th Infantry “Dependable” Battalion (8IB), Philippine Army got their COVID-19 vaccination through the Local Government Unit of Impasugong last November 6, 2021, at the Big Dome, Brgy. Poblacion of the said municipality.
Through the partnership of the Municipal Health Office (MHO) of Impasugong and the 8IB, 17 former rebels got their first dose of Sinovac while two (2) got fully vaccinated.
Armando Daluniag @Ambo, 61 years old, former Commander, Headquarters Force Neo, North Central Mindanao Committee (NCMRC) expressed, “Mapasalamaton ako nga gigahinan kami sa atoang gobyerno og bakuna aron makalikay sa sakit nga COVID-19. Usa kini ka timaan nga ang atoang gobyerno seryoso nga motabang sa bisan kinsa nga gusto mobalik sa sabakan sa gobyerno. Nagatuo usab ako nga dili angay mahadlok sa bakuna tungod dili man kini ihatag kanato sa gobyerno kung makadaut kini.” (I am thankful because the government allotted vaccines for us as protection against COVID-19. This is a proof that our government is serious in its vow to help those (CNTs) who will return to the folds of the law. I also believe that we should not be afraid of the vaccines because the government will not give it to us if it will harm us.)
It can be recalled that last August, Armando contracted COVID-19 and was hospitalized due to severe symptoms such as fever, difficulty in breathing, and cough.
According to Dr. Kiezel F. Logronio, Doktor to the Barrio of MHO, Impasugong, “Importante kaayo na magpabakuna ta. Dili lang man ni para sa atoa, kundi para pud sa proteksyon sa atong mga pamilya. Para mas dali nato ma achieve pud ang herd immunity ug makabalik na sa normal natong kahimtang sauna. (It is very important that we get vaccinated. This is not just for us but also to protect our family. Through this, we will also easily achieve herd immunity and we will be able to return to our normal situation before.)
LTC Edgardo Talaroc Jr, Commander 8IB, said that, “Kami nagapasalamat sa lokal nga panggamhanan sa Impasugong pinaagi sa MHO nga maoy kaabag nato sa pagbakuna sa mga kanhing rebelde. Kini usa sa mga pamaagi nato aron ma protektahan ang mga kanhing rebelde batuk sa makamatay nga sakit nga COVID-19. Kini mo protekta kanila sa dihang sila mobalik na sa komunidad ilabi na sa ilang pamilya.” (We are thankful to the LGU of Impasugong through the MHO because they are our partner in the vaccination of our former rebels. This is one of our ways to protect the former rebels against the deadly COVID-19. This will also protect them as they return back to the community and to their families.)
