Phl Army battalions in Panay, Negros get new commanders

CEBU, Philippines - Three Philippine Army battalions under the 3rd Infantry Division have new commanders.

The revamp involved the 82nd Infantry "Bantay-Laya" Battalion based in Miag-ao, Iloilo; the 47th Infantry "Katapatan" Battalion based in Cauayan, Negros Occidental; and the 12th (Cadre) Battalion based in Banga, Aklan.

Yesterday, Lieutenant Colonel Enriqueto Deocadez, Jr. assumed the post as commanding officer of the 82nd IB, replacing Lt. Col. Aldwine Almase who will be given a staff position at the 3rd ID.

Deocadez is the outgoing executive officer of the 301st Infantry "Bayanihan" Brigade. Prior to that, he served as the assistant chief of staff for Civil-Military Operations (G7) of the 3rd ID that was highly involved in the humanitarian assistance and disaster response operations in the aftermath of typhoon Yolanda last year.

On the other hand, Lieutenant Colonel Pompeyo Jason Almagro will take over the command of the 47th IB from Lt. Col. Ariel Reyes today, October 14.

Almagro is the outgoing commander of the Civil-Military Operations Battalion based in Camp Peralta in Jamindan, Capiz. Prior to that, he was the assistant chief of staff for CMO of the 3rd ID.

Last October 7, Reyes was reassigned to succeed Lt. Col. Wilfredo Isaac as the commander of the 12th (Cadre) Battalion. Isaac was slated for a career advancement schooling.

Deocadez and Almagro are graduates of the Philippine Military Academy "Maalab" Class of 1993 while Almase, Reyes and Isaac belong to the PMA "Tanglaw-Diwa" Class of 1992.

Major General Rey Leonardo Guerrero, 3rd ID commander, said the new officers have the full trust and confidence of the 3rd ID command.

"Their competence and extensive background in Civil-Military Operations will definitely bring significant results in the Division's peace and development efforts in the areas of Panay and Negros Islands," he added.