Medical-Dental Community Outreach at Brgy Tuyan, Malapatan

Last May 27, 2010, Alfa Coy, 73IB, along with the 1002nd Brigade Medical Team; physicians from Hearts and Brains Incorporated; dentists from General Santos Dental Society; volunteers from Marian Movement of Priest, and the Ugalde Family of Brgy Tuyan, Malapatan held a medical-dental mission that benefited 250 indigents of Brgy Tuyan, Malapatan Sarangani Province. Services rendered include tooth extraction, medical checkup, circumcision, plus feeding for the children. Personnel of the 73rd Infantry Battalion also hosted fun games and provided prizes for the children of the brgy.

Dentists from the General Santos Dental Society have been among the active partners of 73rd IB and 1002Bde in providing free dental services to the people of Sarangani. 75 patients from Brgy Tuyan benefited in this particular event.

Military dentists were also part of the dental team. While army medics perform circumcision to 50 boys taking advantage of the summer vacation.

Neutralizers play hosts to kids during the fun games.  

Medical consultation patients queue for free medicines provided by Hearts and Brains Incorporated, an NGO comprise of doctors and dentist headed by Dr Ruel Cagape, MD. These include medicines for common illnesses, as well as vitamins for mothers and children. Kids, on the other hand line up for food. Around 130 benefited from  medical consultations.

ABSCBN SOCSKSARGEN Crew Attend Firearms Familiarization, Handling, and Safety Session

ABS-CBN SOCKSARGEN news anchor, reporters, and crew visited the grounds of 73rd Infantry NEUTRALIZER Battalion at Sitio Tampuan, Barangay Kamanga, Maasim, Sarangani Province on May 22, 2010 and attended a one-day event that oriented them on the different firearms in the inventory of an Army infantry battalion. 

Aside from the visual orientation of static displays, they were also given the chance to fire some of the infantry weapons after a brief lecture on gun handling and safety. 

Guns fired include the popular Cal .45 pistol; M16 rifle, and the latest addition to Philippine Army weaponry - the K3 Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW) light machine gun.

One of the highlights of the event was the team relay competition. The crew were organized into two teams, with each team tasked to hit seven balloon targets at a distance of 10 meters for Cal. .45 pistol and 25 meters for M16 rifle.

The firing was followed by a boodlefight, a Philippine military tradition  of "friendship meal", composed of steamed rice, pansit bihon, bulanglang, and lechon! The "boodles" were annihilated and totally wiped out!

The Battalion Commander then briefed the crew on the prevailing national and local security situations and how 73rd IB addresses the threats in partnership with LGUs, NGOs, and other stakeholders like the tri-media.

The event was capped by the distribution of certificates to the participants, followed  by the awarding ceremony for the team winner and Individual Top Gun awards for the highest pointers in pistol and rifle. As an added fun, a "Bolo Man Award" was given to the individual participant with the least number of hits to challenge "her" to do better next time.

Post-Election Operation Linis

After the success of the May 10 Elections, members of 73rd Infantry Battalion together with policemen of the Sarangani Provincial Police Office (SPPO) work hand-in-hand in cleaning the streets, removing banners and posters of candidates and different political parties as part of the post-election clean-up drive in Sarangani Province and Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat.

Bantay Eleksyon 2010, Sarangani Province

MAY 10, 2010, National and Local Elections, troops of 73rd Infantry Battalion and cops of  Sarangani Provincial Police Office assist voters in the different polling places. Security Assistance Desks were set up to provide services to the voters. Army and Police personnel were deployed to all polling places to ensure that the electorate are safe and secured from threats and intimidation. As true guardians of freedom and democracy, the troopers' presence created a secured environment that encouraged local folks to go out and exercise their rights to choose their leaders.