Marine Battalion in southern Palawan to change command

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 19): Marine Battalion in southern Palawan to change command

Lt. Col. Efren Rellores, commanding officer of the Marine Battalion Landing Team 12 (MBLT 12) based in southern Palawan will be replaced by Lt. Col. Rodel Martires in a ceremonial change of command on Saturday, at the MBLT-12 headquarters in Barangay Abu-abo, Sofronio Espanola town.

Prior to the ceremonial change of command, Rellores was awarded the Military Merit Medal by the commander of the Western Command, Lt. Gen. Rustico O. Guerrero, for his contribution and valuable service as commanding officer of MBLT 12, which extensively contributed to the successful accomplishment of the mission of the Marine Corps in southern Palawan.

Known to be soft-spoken and accommodating, Rellores led MBLT 12 in numerous achievements in the surrounding communities.

These included support to the local government’s Zero Waste Program, distributing garbage cans in several barangays in southern Palawan; successful implementation of the Western Command’s (Wescom) operations; law enforcement in coordination with the City PNP and the Military Intelligence Group and the recovery of assorted illegally-acquired equipment and materials.

As part of the Marines’ participation in social responsibility, his Battalion leadership also actively participated in community development programs that helped improve the health and welfare of many residents of the province in distantly-located areas.

In an interview, Rellores expressed his gratitude to the people and local government officials of Palawan, particularly Puerto Princesa, and the municipalities of Sofronio Espanola, Brooke’s Point, Quezon, Bataraza, and Balabac, for their untiring support in making the Marines a partner in social and economic developments.

Rellores is proud that during his stint in Palawan, he has bonded well in friendship and camaraderie with other units of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the PNP, non-government organizations and all stakeholders for security and development.

“My assignment here in Palawan has strengthened my conviction and has taught me a lot of things as part of the AFP. I have to move for the Filipino people by making decisions that would always take in their interests as we are in a country of diversity. The AFP has exposed me to a lot of challenges, which put me in the task to ensure that diversity is positive and not divisive,” Rellores said.

He will be assigned to the headquarters of the Philippine Marine Corps for schooling.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=567497