Friday, September 19, 2008
PGMA Visit at Lanao del Norte
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Army Sultan Commander Assumes
Iligan City (9 September). COL BENITO T DE LEON INF (GSC) PA, who holds an honorary Maranao title of Sultan a Romapunot (Peacemaker), assumed the post of BGEN ANTONIO I SUPNET AFP today as Commander, 104th Infantry (Sultan) Brigade of the 1st Infantry (Tabak) Division, Philippine Army, charged of Lanao del Norte.
The changes in position were approved by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo last 30 July 2008. But, its implementation were delayed to ensure smooth transition in the military organization. Col de Leon relinquished his former unit, the Joint Task Force GENSAN, protecting General Santos City only last 18 August, the same day that rogue elements of the MILF pillaged the coastal towns of Kauswagan and Kolambugan of Lanao del Norte. Upon arrival at 104th Brigade, the following day, de Leon shortly served as the Deputy Commander of Gen Supnet until the formal change of command. Supnet is subsequently to assume as the Assistant Division Commander of the 7th Infantry Division in Luzon.
Col de Leon, who now is in his third tour of duty in the Lanao Provinces, earned the title of a Sultan in Lumbayanague, Lanao del Sur for his peace efforts during the 2000 MILF hostilities. He admits being overwhelmed by the challenge of the new position as the brigade is now tasked to pursue the Lawless MILF Group in Lanao del Norte. Nonetheless, he adds, "I am extremely pleased to serve the people here once again and contribute in the pursuit of peace and stability that would further hasten development in the Province of Lanao del Norte."
As he promised to commit himself to the mission and take care of his troops, he issued to them the following instructions in his address:
- First, focus and put to bear all your energies and resources to neutralize the soonest the Lawless MILF Group that have threatened the peace in Lanao del Norte;
- Second, enhance linkages with our counterparts in all sectors to generate support in best attaining our mission;
- Third, support the thrusts of local government executives which are intended to further benefit the people we serve;
- And lastly, in all your undertakings uphold and protect the rights of the citizenry as enshrined in our Constitution by following the AFP Rules of Engagement, Human Rights, and the International Humanitarian Law.
The new commander finally called on his men and all sectors "not only to assist in securing peace and development in our time, for our sakes and our children, but in building a better future for the coming generations."
104th Brigade is now composed of 4 Infantry Battalions, aside from its other combat and support complement, from the original 2 battalions to hunt down the rogue MILF elements: 10th Infantry Battalion under LTC JOHN JURADO; 32IB, LTC EDWIN RESPECIO; 35IB, LTC JOSE FAUSTINO; and, 43IB of the 8th Infantry Division augmented from the Visayas led by LTC JUVYMAX UY.
The change of command ceremony was presided by MGEN NEHEMIAS G PAJARITO, Commander of the 1st Infantry Division. Witnessing the occasion were the following: LTGEN NELSON B ALLAGA, the Commander of Western Mindanao Command (WESTMINCOM); BGEN HILARIO A ATENDIDO, the Assistant 1st Division Commander for Operations, and Commander of the recently deactivated Task Force Tabak responsible for the Lanao Provinces; COL REY ARDO, Commander of 103rd Infantry (Haribon) Brigade, whose area is Lanao Sur, a classmate of de Leon in the Philippine Military Academy batch of 1981; other senior officers, enlisted personnel, local political leaders, and guests.
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