HISTORY OF CMO BATTALION, CMOG, PA

Thursday, 18 August 2011

       

           Inspired by the successful conduct of SOTWA in Cebu and Laguna areas, the Civil Military Operations Battalion (Provisional) was organized on 16 August 2006 with its mission to conduct Special Operations Team-White Area (SOTWA) in Metro Manila.

 

           The newly structured unit were composed of eleven (11) Officers who were placed a/u with HHSG, PA and two hundred (200) EP generated from PA post units like Signal Group, Engineering Brigade/Battalion, ASCOM and SSU, under the leadership of LTC NARCISO F ALAMAG INF (GSC) PA from 18 Aug 06 to 01 Nov 06 as the pioneering Battalion Commander who was then the Deputy Commander of Civil Military Operations Group, Philippine Army.

 

           When the unit was completely organized, filled-up and operational, LTC MELQUEDES L FELICIANO INF (GSC) PA assumed command 01 Nov 06 to 12 Feb 07 as the second Battalion Commander.

 

           SOTWA was conceptualized purposely to counter the Communist Terrorist Movement’s (CTM’s) effort in urban areas wherein the Task Units (TU’s) undertakes CMO activities to address the existing issues and concerns of the affected target Sectoral Organization (SO) and conducted Information Awareness Operations to enlighten the general public of the deceptions and exploitations being employed by the CPP/NPA/NDF (CNN). These Task Units also serves as a link between the different local government units, Non-governmental Organization, private sectors and the like in order to help the target audiences to avail the services that could help improve their social, spiritual and economic condition and to established bond between military and the community as part of AFP’s image building.

 

           In this sense, the target SO is co-opted while the members of unaffected SO’s are insulated against CTM’s Deceptive Recruitment.

 

            Previously, the SOTWA Task Units were deployed under direct supervision and control of the CMO Battalion Command Group, but when COL RICARDO R VISAYA INF (GSC) PA, took over as the Battalion Commander from 12 Feb 07 to 22 Sep 07 these Task Units was re-organized into three (3) Companies under the direct supervision and control of their Company Commanders.

 

           COL VISAYA was then succeeded by COL BUENAVENTURA C PASCUAL (GSC) MNSA PA on 22 Sep 07 to 28 Nov 09.

 

            The TU’s were pulled out last 09 May 2007 as a consequence of the 2007 National and Local election and resumed its operations on the 1st week of August 2007.

 

            With the successful conduct of SOTWA in the NCR, the CMOBn was conceived as a Training Unit/ground wherein personnel from different Infantry Divisions, LAD and TRADOC were placed on DS with CMOBn for six (6) months on a rotation basis to undergo SOTWA training and experiences.

 

            COL EMILIO T HULIPAS INF (GSC) PA, who was the  5th Battalion Commander, continue the conduct of SOT-WA operations under the operational control of the National Capital Region Command, AFP when he assumes command from 28 Nov 09 to 01 Dec 10.

 

            However, during 2010 Automation Elections, the CMOBn personnel of were pulled out from their respective target areas in order to perform election duties and were considered among the key players in the security of election paraphernalia intended for National Capital Region and security of polling centers during the elections. This peaceful and successful endeavor had once again put the unit in the limelight of history.

 

            Evidently the SOTWA Operations in the NCR was effective as manifested by the Local Government Officials and other sector of our society when they requested the presence of our troops in their respective areas. As a result, the troops were again redeployed in the different Brgys of the NCR on 14 September 2011.

 

            Under the leadership of LTC NASSER D ALONTO INF (GSC) PA who assumed his command last 01 December 2010, the CMO Battalion currently famous and known in its conduct of SOTWA Operations within Metro Manila and its various CMO accomplishments in support to the Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP) “Bayanihan” in winning the peace.

 

 

 

 

         

Video - The CMO Battalion under the leadership of LTC NASSER D ALONTO INF (GSC) PA who assumed his command last 01 December 2010, continuously conduct the SOTWA Operations within Metro Manila and established various accomplishment to unit’s mission in support to the Armed Forces of the Philippines “IPSP Bayanihan” in winning the peace.

Partners in winning the peace - CMO Battalion personnel together with the Light of Men Ministries Inc., Darangan Christian Church International and civilian volunteers during the conduct of Medical and Dental Mission at Brgy Corazon De Jesus, San Juan City.