• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Before ending his stint as commanding general of the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division on March 1, Lt. Gen. Benedict Arevalo conferred 53 troopers of the 94th Infantry Battalion with Military Merit Medals, during its 5th founding anniversary, held at Brgy. Tambo in Ayungon, Negros Oriental, early this week.
Arevalo cited them for exemplary performance during a series of encounters in Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental.
Three suspected rebels died in an encounter last month with 94IB soldiers in Brgy. Oringao, Kabankalan City, resulting in the recovery of three firearms.
The awarding of medals to Army soldiers who excelled in the performance of their jobs, has been a routine activity for Arevalo, from when he was still the commanding officer of 303rd Infantry Brigade, until he became the commander of the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division.
Arevalo will turn over the 3ID command to his successor, Brig. Gen. Marion Sison, on March 1 at Camp Macario Peralta in Jamindan, Capiz, to be presided over by Army Chief Lt. Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr.
Sison is presently the 3ID Assistant Division Commander, while Arevalo is occupying the position of commander of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Visayas Command.*
