By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

3rd Infantry Division commander Major General Jon Aying, and Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. led the formal activation rites of the 1st Negros Island Region (NIR) Geographical Battalion at the Capitol Building, yesterday morning.
Aying said the new geographical unit comprises of two battalions, with the other battalion assigned in Negros Oriental.
Aying explained the battalions will serve as reinforcements during emergencies, and is comprised of regular army soldiers, reservists, and those belonging to the Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit (CAFGU).
Around 600 to 800 CAFGUs comprise the newly formed units.
The battalions are also expected to address the problems brought about by communist insurgents, as well as other terror groups.
Aying also added they could be used in the ongoing campaign of the government against illegal drugs.
As part of the activation rites, they also provided military honors for Marañon in recognition of his leadership as the chief executive of the province, and his active participation in bringing peace and stability in the region./WDJ