Army in Bicol focused on work at frontline vs COVID-19 but ‘won’t let guard down

LEGAZPI CITY  – As the entire Luzon continues to be under enhanced community quarantine to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), an Army commander said that soldiers in the Bicol region are focused on working at the frontline in the fight against the disease but will not let their guards down.

Maj. Gen. Fernando Trinidad, Commander of the Philippine Army’s 9th Infantry Division, said on Thursday that his command in Bicol would fully support President Rodrigo Duterte’s call for a unilateral ceasefire against the New People’s Army amid the outbreak.

Trinidad, also the commander of the Joint Task Force Bicolandia, said that as they would focus on assisting the national and local government units in the fight against COVID-19, he assured the public that “we will not let our guards down against possible treacherous and terroristic act of the communist movement even under the unilateral ceasefire declared by the government.”

“Our prime concern now, is to act as one of the frontliners in providing various services and ensure the safety of the public,” he added.

Meanwhile, additional Army soldiers were dispatched in the provinces of Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, Albay, Sorsogon, and Masbate to assist police and health authorities in manning various checkpoints in all declared lockdown areas.