By Ben Cal, PNA and U.S. News Agency / Asian

Aside from seeing to it that his troops are combat-ready at all times, Maj. Gen. Jose Mabanta Jr., commanding general of the 3rd Infantry Division of the Philippine Army based in Capiz, sees to it that his troops are also immersed in spiritual warfare to receive God’s blessing and enlightenment.

“We see another chapter of enlightenment for the soldiers as we have this activity. With your soldiers looking at the horizon in a more clear view, 3rd ID’s overall effort with stakeholders of advocating peace in this part of the nation will definitely come a long way,” Mabanta said in a statement during the visit of Msgr. Leopoldo Tumulak, military bishop and head of the Military Ordinariate of the Philippines (MOP) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, in Camp Gen. Macario Peralta Jr. in Jamindan, Capiz on Friday.

Mabanta’s statement was e-mailed to the Philippines News Agency by the 3rd ID spokesman, Maj. Enrico Gil Ileto.

For Mabanta, the blessing of the church continues to pour upon the military personnel, civilian employees and dependents in the 3rd Infantry Division.

Bishop Tumulak, who celebrated Holy Mass inside the sprawling Army camp, also presided over the blessing of the newly-renovated Administrative Office and Quarters of the Chief Chaplain of the 3rd Infantry (Spearhead) Division.Priests from other parishes graced the occasion.

Ileto said the AFP Chaplin Service was established by virtue of the National Defense Act of 1935.

On the other hand, the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines provides the spiritual care of the military, police and coast guard personnel with great solicitude because of their distinct work.

Msgr. Tumulak said he has learned a lot on the life and commitment of soldiers as military bishop for the past seven years.

Captain Domingo Labrilla, the 3ID chief chaplain, said that the entire Army division thanked Bishop Tumulak for his visit to Camp Peralta for boosting the morale of the soldiers.