BALER – An Army officer whose military unit was embroiled in a controversy with the Catholic Church after it allegedly harassed catechists and church volunteers to stop serving the church or stop believing in priests because they were supporters of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) was relieved from his post.

Lt. Col. Natalio Jayson, battalion commander of the 48th Infantry Battalion, was relieved in General Order 390 issued by Maj. Gen. Ralph Villanueva, commanding general of the Army’s 7th Infantry Division (7th ID). He was replaced by Lt. Col Elias Escarcha, formerly chief of the division training unit of the 7th ID.

Jayson’s relief came barely three weeks after the Prelature of Infanta, which covers the local parish here, complained in a pastoral statement that the military’s counter-insurgency campaign has sown fear among residents and that soldiers have been discrediting the Catholic church and the clergy in the province.

The pastoral statement, signed by 10 priests and noted by Bishop Rolando Tirona, was aired during Masses in the province’s eight towns on Dec. 16. The military was also charged with forcibly evacuating upland residents and militarizing the province, even staying in Barangay halls and health centers.

The Multi-Sectoral Action Group has sought the closure of the battalion in the province, triggering a word war between the military and the MSAG with the Army saying it was a clear media trick initiated by the National Democratic Front.

Villanueva, who was guest of honor during the turn-over rites at the 48th IB headquarters in Barangay Calabuanan, downplayed Jayson’s relief, saying it was a regular process in the Armed Forces.

“Commanders come and go. If they have served for more than a year, whatever issues they face, they will be relieved,” he said.

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