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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (MindaNews / 18 Dec) – Tucked away in a camp away from the Christmas merry making, a group of 15 journalists learned to drop to the ground during an “ambush” scenario over the weekend.
Capt. Patrick Martinez, public information officer of the Army’s 4th Infantry Division, said the journalists from Butuan, Malaybalay, Cagayan de Oro and Iligan cities underwent a two-day training learning how to survive hostile environment coverage like the Marawi crisis.
“The journalists learn to drop at the first sound of ground fire and also learn how to treat their battle wounds,” he said.[]
Martinez said the journalists attended the training last Dec. 16 and 17 where they learned from Army medics how to evacuate their wounded colleagues.[]
He said at the end of the course, journalists underwent an “ambush” scenario where their vehicle was hit by a landmine.[]
Martinez said the 4ID’s Multi-Sectoral Advisory Board (MSAB) Strategic Communications Committee chaired by journalist Froilan Gallardo sponsored the two-day training using Army funds.
He said the MSAB is chaired by Ayi Hernandez of the Balay Mindanaw Foundation and among its members include Fr. Bobby Yap S.J., president of Xavier University, and Cagayan de Oro second district Representative Maximo Rodriguez.
“For the Army, this training allows us to understand more the work of journalists. They too have now the knowledge of the role of the Army,” Martinez said. (MindaNews)
