303rd IB has new commander

BACOLOD CITY , Philippines  - Philippine Army chief Lt. Gen. Arturo Ortiz has confirmed the relief of Col. Jonas Sumagaysay from his post as 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, effective today.

Sumagaysay will be replaced by Col. Francisco Patrimonio, his deputy, in turnover ceremonies today at Camp Nelson Gerona in Brgy. Minoyan of Murcia town, Negros Occidental.

Ortiz said Sumagaysay will be assigned as assistant division commander of the 3rd Infantry Division based in Camp Peralta in Jamindan, Capiz, replacing Brig. Gen. Pedro Sinajon, who will be transferred to the 9th Infantry Division in the Bicol Region.

The relief of Sumagaysay, a classmate of the new 3rd ID commander, Major Gen. Emmanuel Bautista, is part of the normal movement in reassignment of officers, although Sumagaysay has not yet completed his two-year stint as 303rd IB commander, Ortiz said.

At the 303rd IB, Sumagaysay succeeded Col. Maximo Caro in September last year when the latter was promoted head of the Cadets' Corps at the Philippine Military Academy.

Sumagaysay recently exposed the reported mistaken encounters between warring factions of the New People's Army (NPA) as well as the alleged leadership crisis in the underground movement.

The NPA however denied this report, claiming that it was the government troops that figured in the alleged mistaken encounters.