• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Army’s 62nd Infantry Battalion in central Negros has a new commander in the person of Lt. Col. Divar Crisostomo.
Prior to his present position, Crisostomo served as the executive officer of the Army’s 302nd Infantry Brigade stationed at Tanjay City in Negros Oriental.
He replaces Lt. Col. Evelio Ilanga III, who served as 62IB commander for more than a year.
Maj. Gen. Michael Samson, commanding general of the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division, presided over the 62IB change of command leadership between Ilanga and Crisostomo, which was held on October 18 at the 302nd Infantry Brigade headquarters in Tanjay City.
The accomplishments of Ilanga as 62IB commander include numerous successful armed engagements that led to the neutralization of several NPA rebels who died in a series of encounters, which also led to the recovery of various high and low powered firearms, and facilitated the surrender of several rebels who also surrendered firearms.
Ilanga also thanked local government units in central Negros government line agencies, civilian stakeholders, and former rebels, among others, for the success of his assignment, especially in the peace and development campaign.
Samson also lauded the remarkable accomplishments of the 62IB under the leadership of Ilanga, who is now temporarily assigned at the 302nd Infantry Brigade headquarters.
He also reiterated his call to all 62IB troopers to extend their full support and cooperation to Crisostomo, in order to sustain the unit’s momentum against rebel remnants, and successfully accomplish its mission.*
