MANILA, Philippines – Manila City Mayor Alfredo S Lim extended all his praises to the Army soldiers deployed in Tondo, Sta Mesa, and Pandacan which are under his jurisdiction. Mayor Lim said he deeply appreciates what the soldiers, assigned with Civil-Military Operations Battalion (CMOBn), under Civil-Military Operations Group (CMOG), Philippine Army are doing in ensuring the safety and security of community folks in these areas for the past six years.

Mayor Lim made this tribute as the newly installed CMO Group Commander Col Cirilito E Sobejana paid his courtesy call to the Manila Mayor, July 27, at the Manila City Hall, as part of the inter-agency coordination.

Furthermore, Mayor Lim said he is receiving positive feedbacks regarding the accomplishments of CMOBn, CMOG especially in maintaining peace and order. He further said that he hasn’t received any complaints or reports of abuse on these soldiers. The Manila Mayor assured Colonel Sobejana of the Manila government’s all out support in the various undertakings of CMOBn, CMOG in the city of Manila. He offered to provide a decent headquarters to all CMO detachments deployed in Tondo and Sta Mesa by tapping sponsorship and generosity from all Manila stakeholders.

CMOG has been deploying Community Organizing for Development (CODE) teams to identify issues raised by Manila community folks and to look for appropriate local government units that could provide solutions to these concerns. They shall act as catalysts or facilitators. Other community relations endeavors such as Medical and Dental Civic Action Program (MEDCAP), clean-up drive, circumcision, haircut and disaster, relief and rescue operations, among others are being undertaken by the troops.

Colonel Sobejana, barely 10 days in his new post, was given by Mayor Lim a ceremonial key presented to distinguished guests of the City of Manila. Colonel Sobejana was accompanied by CMOBn Commander Col Nasser Alonto.