By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Isabela Mayor Joselito Malabor is seeking clarification from the Philippine Army after the latter withdrew from a medical mission that was supposed to take place last Sunday.

According to the mayor, the Philippine Army 52nd Infantry Battalion (52IB) informed him last Friday that they would not be participating in the medical mission, which was part of Malabor’s 52nd birthday celebration.

The military unit said they received a memo from superiors prohibiting them from taking part.

Malabor said he was surprised as the said unit has participated in a medical mission the town held last month.

Despite 52IB informing him of the circumstances, the mayor said he could not think of any reason why they would cancel their participation, noting, the army unit has its own medical and dental team to render various services.

Meanwhile, Malabor said he is thankful for the provincial government and private hospitals in the province who were able to extend their services to thousands of Isabela residents./DGB, WDJ