47IB praised for zero human rights violations

From the Visayan Daily Star (Oct 15): 47IB praised for zero human rights violations

The Army’s 3rd Infantry Division yesterday praised the leadership of Lt. Col. Ariel Reyes, outgoing 47th Infantry Battalion, for maintaining its records of zero human rights violations, and for its successful “winning the peace” campaign in southern Negros.

With his accomplishments, Reyes was conferred with the Military Merit Medal and 3ID Command Plaque yesterday by Maj. Gen. Rey Leonardo Guerrero, 3ID commanding general, during the turnover of command ceremony in Barangay Tiling, Cauayan town in Negros Occidental.

“Congratulations for a job well done in southern Negros,” Guerrero told Reyes, who had served as 47IB commander for one year and five months.
The 47th IB is now under the supervision of the 302nd Infantry Brigade, based in Tanjay City, Negros Oriental.

Guerrero also installed Lt. Col. Pompeyo Jason Almagro as the new commander of the 47IB, replacing Reyes, who is now the commander of the 12th Infantry (CADRE) Battalion.

Reyes now commands more than 3,000 Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit members in Negros and Panay, as the new 12IB commander.

Almagro solicited the support of local government units, nongovernment organizations and other stakeholders in winning the peace campaign, in southern Negros yesterday.

“We have to work together in order to bring peace and development in southern Negros,” he said.

Guerrero also said that the relief and transfer of Reyes has nothing to do with the recent atrocities of the New People’s Army rebels, who burned heavy equipment of a construction firm in Cauayan. He said the reshuffling of key Army commanders in Negros and Panay had been planned long before.

Before leaving the 47IB, Reyes, assisted by Guerrero, distributed plaques of citation to 47IB supporters, who included Rep. Mercedes Alvarez (Neg. Occ., 6th District), Kabankalan City Mayor Isidro Zayco, Sipalay City Vice-Mayor Gina Montilla Lizares, and Rev. Fr. Eryl Agus, Social Action director of the Diocese of Kabankalan, among others.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2014/October/15/negor2.htm