Thursday, September 4, 2014

Baladad relinquishes command of 3rd ID in preparation for Eastern Mindanao Command stint

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 4): Baladad relinquishes command of 3rd ID in preparation for Eastern Mindanao Command stint

Major Gen. Aurelio Baladad has formally relinquished command of the Capiz-based 3rd Infantry Division in preparation for his stint as Eastern Mindanao Command chief beginning Sept. 5.

Baladad commanded the 3rd Infantry Division for a period of one year and two months. He will take charge of the three-star Eastern Mindanao Command post with Army, Navy and Air Force components that maintain peace and security in the eastern parts of Mindanao.

During Baladad’s stint as 3rd Infantry Division commander, he introduced innovations in “winning the peace” campaign in Western Visayas.

These included the “Dagyaw Para sa Kalinaw III” (Working together for peace) campaign which was immediately implemented upon Baladad's assumption of command in July of 2013.

The increase in operational tempo and sustained pressure to the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA) coupled with enhanced "Bayanihan" team activities significantly contributed to the accomplishment of the 3rd Infantry Division peace and development objectives.

The 3rd Infantry Division’s focused military operations during Baladad’s watch resulted to the neutralization of 68 CPP-NPA-NDF members that included five high ranking CNN personalities.

Fourteen rebels were killed during encounters, while 26 were captured or arrested and 28 have decided to lay down their arms and returned to the fold of the law.

The 3rd Infantry Division also recovered a total of 75 firearms (39 high-powered and 36 low-powered) and 12 improvised explosive devices.

Baladad also served as the Incident Commander during the humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations after the onslaught of super typhoon "Yolanda" in November last year.

As posted by the Center for Excellence in Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance Lessons from Civil Military Disaster Management and Humanitarian Response to Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) last January 2014, “Task Force Yolanda” based in Roxas City, Capiz Province, set the example for disaster management, called “the best I’ve ever seen” by International humanitarian workers.

Baladad expressed his profound gratitude to the men and women of the 3rd Infantry Division for the support extended to him.

On a personal note, Baladad said, “There’s no greater accomplishment than seeing the professional growth of each and every member of 3ID since I assumed the command in July 2013. I encourage you to continuously aspire for excellence and improvement,” he said.

Meanwhile, Major Gen. Rey Leonardo B. Guerrero will take over the helm of the 3rd Infantry Division.

Guerrero is presently the Chief of Staff of the Philippine Army. He belongs to the Philippine Military Academy “Maharlika” Class of 1984.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=680110

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