IN HIS first major engagement since taking command, Lieutenant Colonel Jesus L. Rosete, acting commanding officer of the 60th Infantry Battalion, met with the tribal leadership of Talaingod to reinforce a long-standing alliance for peace and ancestral domain protection.
The high-level courtesy call, held on Feb. 9 at the Municipal Tribal Hall in Barangay Sto. Niño marks a strategic renewal of the partnership between the Philippine Army and the Indigenous Peoples Structure (IPS) of the municipality.
Rosete was received by Bae Pilar Libayao, chairperson of the IPS, alongside Mayor Jonnie A. Libayao.
The dialogue focused on a “shared vision” for security, with both military and tribal leaders emphasizing that the stability of Talaingod relies on the mutual trust between the “Mediator” Battalion and the Lumad community.
Rosete said the 60IB remains a steadfast ally of the people of Talaingod.
He expressed gratitude for the tribe’s cooperation in maintaining the region’s insurgency-free status and pledged the Army’s support in defending the community’s ancestral lands.
Bayanihan in action
The engagement moved beyond formal diplomacy into a tangible community outreach. As a gesture of Bayanihan, the 60IB facilitated a rice distribution for IP families present at the gathering.
Tribal leaders, including the Bagani (warrior) leaders and the Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative (IPMR), praised the military’s proactive stance.
For the residents of this mountainous municipality, the distribution of essential supplies serves as a vital bridge between remote communities and government support.
The 60th Infantry Battalion’s “Mediator” moniker was on full display, signaling a continued shift toward civil-military operations that prioritize humanitarian assistance alongside traditional security measures.
