48IB WILL LAUNCH ITS FIRST MASS BLOOD DONATION ACTIVITY AND PROVINCIAL AIRSOFT CHALLENGE IN AURORA

BALER, AURORA – The officers and men of the 48^th Infantry “Guardians” Battalion are now preparing for the first mass blood donation activity and Provincial Air Soft challenge to be held at 48IB Headquarters, Brgy Calabuanan, Baler, Aurora tomorrow on December 12, 2009 at 8 o’clock AM. The mass blood donation activity will be having a theme, “DUGO KO, BUHAY MO” in cooperation with Philippine National Red Cross Aurora Chapter, PNP Aurora, Munting Samahan ng Kristiyano, K of C, Family in Life, PGBI, GRII, Tau Gamma Phi Bikers Club, 307^th AU, CDC, RCDG ARESCOM, Bayanihan Security System Federation, Aurora Chapter, JPAG, BATARIS and other NGO’s and members of the local government units who are willing to be part of this big event. On the other hand, the Provincial Air Soft challenge to be hosted by this unit together with the Aurora Air Soft Team led by their president, Mr. Michael Trajano, will also take place tomorrow in the vicinity of the camp in order to attract more players from the Province and eventually unite with this existing group. This game will be the start to promote fund raising activities to help the typhoon victims in Northern Aurora and teams coming from Nueva Ecija will also join the challenge.    

LTC ESCARCHA said that due to the increasing number of people who are requesting for blood donor, members of the Philippine National Red Cross, Aurora Chapter led by their Director, Mr. Sherwin Nakar, and the officers of this unit, came up with a better solution to address this problem which is to include the rest of the community to be part of this bloodletting campaign to help our fellow Aurorans who are in need. There are about five hundred (500) blood donors committed to participate for tomorrow’s event. The Governor of Aurora, Hon. Bellaflor Angara Castillo, will be the guest of honor and speaker and the well-loved and respected Baler Parish Priest, Fr. Nilvon Villanueva is also invited to lead the invocation tomorrow. “There were about ten thousand (10,000 cc) of blood donated by the soldiers this year and we are saddened by the situation that not all request were granted due to limited personnel and unavailability of blood type needed by the requesting party. That is the reason why we really pursue this mass blood donation activity.” LTC ESCARCHA added.

While the mass bloodletting starts tomorrow, the participants of the Air Soft Teams will finally meet in the battle ground for a challenge. “Most of the members of the Air Soft Teams come from the business sector of this Province and this is a very good start to gain their full support in our Insurgency Free Aurora Campaign and encourage them not to give in to the extortion activities of the NPA bandits because majority of the bandit’s funds come from their extortion activities targeting contractors and businessmen.” LTC ESCARCHA said.

“Christmas Day is fast approaching and it is nice to prepare activities that make other people’s lives meaningful and happy. I only wish that this coming Christmas Day, our brothers and sisters who are still there in the mountains to come down and be one with us. Your family and the rest of the people of Aurora are waiting for your return.” LTC ESCARCHA said.