• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Army chief Lt. Gen. Roy Galido called on soldiers to change their mindset, reboot, and refocus on doing “things” in a bigger perspective.
In his speech during the recent 50th founding anniversary of the 3rd Infantry Division at Camp Macario Peralta in Jamindan, Capiz, Galido said “If we do not change our mindset, we will never be relevant and responsive to the needs of our people. Doing this will enable us to significantly contribute to the government’s campaign in changing the country’s overall image and efforts in nation building.”
He also reminded the troops to always be “disciplined” and improve themselves through constant training.
Without discipline, we can never earn the trust and confidence of our people, while constant training will deliver the best in us and make ourselves better than yesterday, Galido further stressed.
“Life begins at 50 thus, (3ID) Spearhead Division will now transform into its new role of becoming relevant and responsive to the Army’s strategic direction and contributing to the comprehensive archipelagic defense of our country. In line with this, we should adapt, capacitate and be able to sustain our troops mobilized to perform military and civic operations and activities of much greater scale and in unison with other government agencies and entities,” he further stressed.
Maj. Gen. Marion Sison, 3ID commander, who honored the sacrifices of the brave men and women who laid down their lives in line of duty, said “As we honor our past achievements, we are also looking forward to a future that demands even greater commitment and innovation,” noting that the world is changing rapidly, including the nature of threats they are facing.
“We will adapt and evolve to stay ahead. Our mandate remains clear: to safeguard our nation and to support the vision of the government,” Sison said.
Assisted by Sison and Brig. Gen. Leo Peña, Assistant Division commander, Galido also led the conferment of the awards and plaques of recognition among outstanding soldiers and civilians.
Named Outstanding Officers of the Year for meritorious and exemplary accomplishments in military operations include Maj Jayrod Cabahug, Commanding Officer, D Company of 47 Infantry Battalion (IB); 1Lt Edmundo Bugaay, Platoon Leader, 31DRC; 1LT Marie Louise Pernito, of 621B; 1Lt Ruben Hali, Commanding Officer, C Coy, of 941B; 2Lt Frenz Jarey Gonzales, Platoon Leader, C Coy, of 791B, and 2Lt Romeo Soldevilla, Platoon Leader, C Coy, of 611B.
Meanwhile, Sgt Marvin Sambrana of 61IB; Sgt Leo Dumayac of 47IB; Sgt Jessie Empic, of 62IB; Sgt Roldan LRemolano, of 79IB; Sgt Nicko De Leon, of 94IB, and Sgt Pablito LFoscablo, of 61IB were recognized as Outstanding Enlisted Personnel for their significant feats in combat.
Additionally, Ltc Gladys Lisette Reyes (Res), Battalion Commander, 603rd Ready Reserve Infantry Battalion (RRIBn), 6th Regional Community Defense Group was named as “Outstanding Reservist Officer of the Year” while Sgt Anna Rose Parcon (Res), Operation NCO, 604th RRIBn, 6RCDG, was awarded Outstanding Reservist Enlisted Personnel of the Year.
Outstanding CAFGU Active Auxiliary included CAA Abgeor Matias of 61IB; CAA Erlick Catubay of 621B; CAA Jason Traya of 791B, and CAA Jerryei Gargoies of 94IB.
Meanwhile, Col Melencio Ragudo received the Meritorious Achievement Medal; Ltc J-Jay Javines bagged the Distinguished Service Star; 2Lt Romeo Soldevilla and Sgt Marvin P Sambrana, both of 61IB, were awarded with Gold Cross Medal. Likewise, SSg Reggie Mar Flores of 61IB and Cpl Arvincent LSanopao of 94IB received Silver Cross Medal; TSg Joey Vigo, First Sergeant of 3HSC garnered Bronze Cross Medal, Cpl Geral Soliva of 31DRC, received Military Merit Medal with Bronze Spearhead Device.*
