Baladad assumes command of 3rd Infantry Division

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 17): Baladad assumes command of 3rd Infantry Division
 
Brig. Gen. Aurelio B. Baladad on Tuesday was formally appointed to command the 3rd Infantry Division which is tasked to protect and bring development to the Western Visayas.

Born in San Fernando, La Union, Baladad is the 49th commander of the 3rd Infantry Division.

He replaces Brig. Gen. Jonas C. Sumagaysay who was appointed as acting commander following the retirement of former 3rd Infantry Division head Major Gen. Jose Mabanta, Jr., last month.

Philippine Army chief Lt.Gen. Noel A. Coballes presided the change of command ceremony.

Baladad aims to further increase the operational tempo to accomplish 3rd Infantry Division's goal and objectives for this year and the years to come.

He also seeks to make the province of Negros more peaceful and more conducive for development by sustaining the pressure on the NPA in the area in order to reduce their armed capability.

Prior to his assignment as the 3rd Infantry Division commander, Baladad also served as the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, J-3, the lead office of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in implementing the Internal Peace and Security Plan “Bayanihan”.

“We will apply physical pressure to the NPA through focused military operations coupled with enhanced Bayanihan team activities,” he stressed.

Baladad was exposed to various operational areas in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

Among his command field duties include being 202nd Infantry Brigade commander in Southern Luzon; 14th Infantry Battalion, 8th Infantry Division in Eastern Samar; Bravo Company, 42nd Infantry Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division; and platoon leader in the 8th Infantry Battalion, 4th Infantry Division in Mindanao.

As he goes up the AFP’s chain of command, Baladad introduced several innovations in the campaign against insurgency especially in civil-military operations.

He authored and co-authored several military manuals such as the Civil- Military Operations manual and the Doctrine for Civil-Military Operations manual among others.

Baladad also held various important positions in the Philippine Army such as Commander of the Civil-Military Operations Group (CMOG); Assistant Chief of Staff for Civil-Military Operations, G7 where he was instrumental in equipping and training the CMO units and staffs of the Army; and Assistant Division Commander and Acting Commander of the 9th Infantry Division in Bicol region.

Baladad graduated from the Philippine Military Academy in 1982 where he is a consistent Dean’s lister, an award conferred for those who excel in academics. He also holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of the Philippines (1990) and possesses a Master in Development Management (1998) from the prestigious institution, the Asian Institute of Management (AIM).

He received a Superior Performance Award in the Project Management Course taken from the same institution. He finished his Command and General Staff Course in 2002 with honors and awarded as the Best Researcher and the Best in General Area of Study.

His awards in the military include four Distinguished Service Stars, two Bronze Cross Medals for bravery, two Outstanding Achievement Medals, numerous Military Merit Medals, Commendation Medals and various Campaign Medals and Ribbons.

Significantly, he also received recognition from various groups, non-government organizations, the media and local chief executives for his contribution in promoting peace and security in areas where he was assigned.

Baladad is married to the former Rhodora Parado.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=545308