THE recent explosions at the 4th Infantry Division in Barangay Patag here last Tuesday have reignited calls for its transfer to somewhere else and turned its land into a bustling economic zone.
Councilor George Goking, chair of the City Council Committee on Trade and Commerce said Camp Evangelista posed “a major risk” since the military complex sits inside Barangay Patag, a heavily populated village with 17,941 residents.
Goking said the huge military complex with its 5,573-yard golf course, is best suited for economic zone conversion that could spur the development of Cagayan de Oro.
“The camp has outlived its usefulness because the entire area is now heavily populated. Considering what happened last Tuesday, it would do more harm than good,” Goking said.
Last Tuesday, a series of explosions terrified city residents as thousands of rounds of munitions stored in Magazine 5 inside Camp Evangelista exploded following a fire.
Three residents and more than 150 families fearing for their safety, evacuated to the covered court in Barangay Patag and the Army gym inside Camp Evangelista.
Philippine Army Chief Lt. Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr, who came to investigate the incident last Tuesday, shoot down the idea of transferring the 4th Infantry Division to another location.
Brawner said the 4th Infantry Division is a vital link in the defense of Mindanao together with the Army 6th Division in Camp Awang in Cotabato City and the Army 1st Division in Pagadian City.
“The location of the 4th Infantry Division is gifted with excellent airport and seaport capabilities,” Brawner said.
He said this was underscored during the Marawi siege in 2017 when Camp Enagelista became the hub of munitions and equipment shipped from Manila.
Brawner said the camp also has the Camp Evangelista Station Hospital, the best medical facility for soldiers would in battle in Northern Mindanao.
Deputy Speaker Rufus Rodriguez also does not like the idea of transferring the 4th Infantry Division to another location.
“Its presence here gives needed security to Cagayan de Oro against terrorists. It helps our community by giving much business to our markets and stores,” Rodriguez said.
Rodriguez said hundreds of families of soldiers who live around Camp Evangelista will be dislocated if the 4th Infantry Division will be transferred.
Retired Army Lt. General Ronald Villanueva supports the idea of transferring the 4th Infantry Division to Mt. Mayapay in Butuan City.
Villanueva, who formerly commands the 4th Infantry Division said the idea of transfer found support from then-Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana who ordered army planners to draw up plans.
He said Mt. Mayapay is one of the military reservations of the 4th Infantry Division. The other one Villanueva said is the Kibaritan military reservation in Kalilangan, Bukidnon.
“The problem with the Kibaritan military reservation is that it will be a logistical nightmare because it is not accessible to a nearby seaport and seaport,” Villanueva said.
Villanueva said Mt. Mayapay on the other hand, is close to the Bancasi airport in Butuan City and the seaport in Nasipit town, Agusan del Sur.
He said proceeds from the sale of Camp Evangelista can finance the transfer of the 4th Infantry Division and retirement benefits of its soldiers.
