New Year's Call & the Best Brigade

As it is the custom in the military, the 1st Infantry (Tabak) Division held its New Year's Call for its subordinate units, but it was finally scheduled only last 20 January 2009 at its headquarters in Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur. Attributed to the delay were other priorities that have to be attended to. Even with the adjustments, MGen Nehemias Pajarito, the Division Commander was not around to receive his subordinates due to the passing of his mother. Instead, BGen Jovencio Magalso, the Assistant Division Commander, received the callers and delivered the Commander's Message.

(L-R): Col Emmanuel Bautista-9RCDG Cmdr; Col Santiago Baluyot-TF Zamboanga Cmdr; Col Rey Ardo-103rd Bde Cmdr; Col Rolando Tenefrancia-CofS,1st Div, BGen Jovencio Magalso-Assistant Div Cmdr, 1ID; Col Alexander Dicang-102nd Bde Cmdr; myself; Col Roland Amarille-101st Bde Cmdr; Col Nicanor Dolojan-403rd Bde Cmdr; and, Col Rizaldy Salimbangon-IG, 1st Div.

After exchanging pleasantries with the other attendees, we assessed the year that was and charted our future directions. At that time, it was revealed that 104th (my unit) topped the other brigades within the 1st Division for the 3rd Quarter of CY 2008 Best-Best Evaluation; 35IB, a unit under 104th, placed second of the 10 battalions in their category. This came as a pleasant surprise unaware of the competition and the parameters.

Even as we celebrate in having secured for 104th Infantry Brigade the throne as the Best Brigade of the 1st Division for the rated period, admittedly capturing the rogue elements of the MILF had been quite a challenge.

While the honor is shared by all the soldiers of 104th who contributed in a way to this achievement, I reflect "Can 104th maintain the bar we have already set?" Perhaps, that is secondary to what is expected of us to deliver--the mission.

To all Sultan Warriors, congratulations and carry on.