• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The two new Army battalion commanders in Negros Occidental were ordered to sustain the stability of internal peace and security in Negros Island, following its declaration of a status of Stable Internal Peace and Security.
In a statement, Maj. Gen. Marion Sison, 3rd Infantry Division commander, directed Lt. Col. Ziegfred Tayaban, newly installed commander of the 94th Infantry Battalion, and Lt. Col. Brian Bagaipo, the new commander of 15th Infantry Battalion, to continue fostering strong community relations with various stakeholders, and to remain committed to the 3ID collective mission to bring forth sustainable peace and development in Negros Island.
Brig. Gen. Orlando Edralin, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, presided over the change of 94IB and 15IB commands on June 26, in behalf of Sison in Ayungon, Negros Oriental, and Cauayan in Negros Occidental, respectively.
Tayaban replaced Lt. Col. Van Donald Almonte as 94IB commander, while Bagaipo took over the command of 15IB from Lt. Col. Michael Cuarteros.
The 94IB unit was under the command of Almonte for two years and nine months, and earned the distinction as the “fightingest” unit of 3ID, and the entire Philippine Army.
He had supervised the conduct of 6,810 combat operations, which resulted in 32 government-initiated tactical engagements, leading to the neutralization of 134 New People’s Army personalities, with 24 killed in encounters, 12 apprehended, while 98 surrendered.
In the same period, the 94IB under the leadership of Almonte also recovered 94 firearms.
Cuarteros, on the other hand, said he led the 15IB with dedication and distinction, which led to the successful combat operations and community peace engagement, and neutralization of prominent rebel personalities, who were killed in encounters in southern Negros.
Prior to his designation as 15IB commander, Bagaipo served as executive officer of the 302nd Infantry Brigade.*
